MOT History from tests of petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1978

Review the list of common LAND ROVER DEFENDER failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your LAND ROVER then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:72.37%

(The average a petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1978 passes without issue)

Based on:152 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	11
Brake pipe excessively corroded	10
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	4
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	3
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	3
Registration plate issues	3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Registration plate lamp issues	2
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Front brake application uneven	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	1
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	1
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	1
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	1
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	1
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	1
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1
Stop lamp not working both \|1.2.1b\|	1
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	1
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	1
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	1
Nearside Front drive shaft coupling flexible rubber or fabric coupling softened by oil contamination \|2.5.C.1e\|	1
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Leaf Spring Mount \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Leaf Spring Mount \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	1
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	1
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	1
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	1
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings out rigger \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	1
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1
Rear brake application uneven	1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))	1
Nearside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	1
Nearside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Brake stationary pin excessively worn and seriously weakened \|3.5.1e\|	1
Rear Brake linkage has abnormal movement of levers indicating excessive wear \|3.5.1f\|	1
Offside Front Steering component is not secure to the vehicle structure \|2.2.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Nearside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	1
Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	1
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	1
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	1
Upper Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	1
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	1
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	1
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber detached \|2.7.2b\|	1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	1
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	1
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	1
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	1
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	1
front brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	1
Rear brake binding	1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1
Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	1
Offside brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	1
Hazard warning switch insecure \|1.4.B.1d\|	1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	1
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	1
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	1
Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	1
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	1
Nearside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted \|4.2.A.1a\|	1
Offside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted \|4.2.A.1a\|	1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	11
Brake pipe excessively corroded	10
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	4
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	3
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	3
Registration plate issues	3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Registration plate lamp issues	2
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Front brake application uneven	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	1
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	1
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	1
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	1
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	1
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	1
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1
Stop lamp not working both \|1.2.1b\|	1
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	1
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	1
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	1
Nearside Front drive shaft coupling flexible rubber or fabric coupling softened by oil contamination \|2.5.C.1e\|	1
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Leaf Spring Mount \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Leaf Spring Mount \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	1
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	1
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	1
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	1
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings out rigger \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	1
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1
Rear brake application uneven	1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))	1
Nearside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	1
Nearside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Brake stationary pin excessively worn and seriously weakened \|3.5.1e\|	1
Rear Brake linkage has abnormal movement of levers indicating excessive wear \|3.5.1f\|	1
Offside Front Steering component is not secure to the vehicle structure \|2.2.B.1a\|	1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Nearside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	1
Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	1
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	1
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	1
Upper Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	1
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	1
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	1
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber detached \|2.7.2b\|	1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	1
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	1
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	1
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	1
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	1
front brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	1
Rear brake binding	1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1
Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	1
Offside brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	1
Hazard warning switch insecure \|1.4.B.1d\|	1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	1
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	1
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	1
Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	1
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	1
Nearside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted \|4.2.A.1a\|	1
Offside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted \|4.2.A.1a\|	1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	1

MOT History from tests of petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1978

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