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MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1983

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:56.74%
(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1983 passes without issue)
Based on:5,012 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment316
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively253
Registration plate lamp issues228
Brake pipe excessively corroded196
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|156
Registration plate issues133
Brakes imbalanced across an axle111
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|104
Horn not working |1.6.2a|103
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|89
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|87
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|78
Brake hose excessively deteriorated76
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|76
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|74
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|72
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|70
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|70
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|66
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|64
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|63
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|60
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|58
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|57
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|56
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|55
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|55
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|48
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|47
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|47
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|47
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|44
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|44
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|43
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|42
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|41
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|41
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|39
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|39
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|39
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|38
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|36
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|36
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|36
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|34
Rear brake binding34
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|33
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|33
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|33
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|33
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|32
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|31
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|30
Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|30
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|30
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|30
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|30
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|29
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|28
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|28
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|28
Windscreen washer not working 27
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|27
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|26
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|26
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|26
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|26
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|26
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour |7.4.B.4|25
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|23
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|23
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|23
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|23
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|22
Emissions not tested |7.0|22
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|22
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|22
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|22
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|22
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|21
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|21
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|20
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|20
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|20
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|19
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|19
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|19
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|19
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|19
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|19
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|19
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt |5.2.2a|19
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|18
Front brake application uneven18
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|18
Steering box has a significant oil leak |2.2.D.2e|18
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|18
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|18
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|18
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt |5.2.2a|18
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|18
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|17
Rear brake application uneven17
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|17
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|17
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|17
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|17
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|16
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|16
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|16
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|16
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|16
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))16
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|16
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|16
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|16
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|16
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|16
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|16
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|15
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|15
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|15
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|15
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|15
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|15
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|15
Windscreen has damage15
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|15
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort15
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|14
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|14
Windscreen wiper blade insecure14
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|14
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|14
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|14
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|14
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|14
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|13
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|13
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|13
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|13
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|13
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|13
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|13
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|13
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))12
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|12
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|12
Battery insecure |1.9.1|12
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|12
Offside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|12
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|12
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|12
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|12
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|12
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing |5.2.2a|12
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|12
Intermediate drop arm insecure |2.2.B.1a|12
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))12
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|11
Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|11
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|11
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))11
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|11
Steering box insecure |2.2.B.1a|11
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red |1.3.2e|11
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|11
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|11
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|11
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|11
Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|10
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|10
Brake pedal has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|10
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|10
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside |3.7.C.2|10
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing |5.2.2a|10
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|10
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))10
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|10
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|10
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|10
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|10
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|10
Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing |5.2.2a|10
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|10
Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|10
Power steering component|s| leaking from a failed seal |2.3.3b|10
Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|10
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|9
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin |2.5.A.3b|9
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|9
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|9
Rear fog lamp switch faulty |1.3.1a|9
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|9
Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|9
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|9
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|9
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))9
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|9
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|9
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|9
Nearside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|9
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Centre Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|8
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|8
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released8
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|8
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|8
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|8
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete |3.3.A.1b|8
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|8
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|8
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|8
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|8
Rear Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|8
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|8
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|8
Nearside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|8
Brake master cylinder fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1e|8
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|8
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|8
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|8
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|8
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|8
Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|8
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|8
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|8
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))7
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|7
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|7
Brake has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|7
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement7
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|7
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))7
Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|7
Offside Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|7
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))7
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|7
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|7
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|7
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|7
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))7
Nearside Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|7
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|7
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|7
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))7
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|7
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|7
Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|7
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))7

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.

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