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:57.70%

(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1983 passes without issue)

Based on:5,274 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	320
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	258
Registration plate lamp issues	233
Brake pipe excessively corroded	196
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	156
Registration plate issues	135
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	115
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 deteriorated	76
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 binding	34
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
Windscreen washer not working	32
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
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 uneven	18
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 uneven	17
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 Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	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
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	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
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	15
Windscreen has damage	15
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	15
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	15
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	14
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	14
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	14
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
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	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
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
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
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 weakened	12
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 Front 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
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	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
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	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 Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	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
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
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	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 released	8
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 Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))	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
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	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
Offside Front 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 movement	7
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	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
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 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 Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	7
Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	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.

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

MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1983

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