MOT History from tests of petrol 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:55.08%

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

Based on:2,687 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	165
Headlamp aim out of alignment	158
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	141
Brake pipe excessively corroded	109
Registration plate lamp issues	101
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	86
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	65
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	60
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	58
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	57
Registration plate issues	52
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	50
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	49
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	48
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	43
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	43
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	40
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	39
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	39
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	39
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	38
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	38
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	38
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	37
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	36
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	32
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	31
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	30
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	29
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	28
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	27
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	27
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	27
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	25
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	25
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	24
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	23
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	23
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	23
Front brake application uneven	21
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	20
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	19
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	19
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	19
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	18
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	17
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	16
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	16
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	15
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	14
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	14
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	13
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	13
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	13
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	12
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	11
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	11
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	11
Rear brake binding	11
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	10
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	10
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	9
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	9
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	9
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	9
Offside Front Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	8
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	8
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	7
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	7
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	7
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	7
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	7
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	7
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	7
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	7
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Windscreen has damage	6
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	6
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	6
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	6
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	6
Offside Front Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	6
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	6
Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	5
Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	5
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	5
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	5
Centre Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	5
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	5
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	5
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	5
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Towbar component insecure \|6.6.1\|	5
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	5
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	5
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	4
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	4
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	4
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	4
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	4
Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	4
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	4
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	4
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	4
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	4
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	4
Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	4
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	4
Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	4
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	4
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Nearside Front Position lamp not working \|4.2.1 \|a\|\|	4
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))	4
Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	4
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\|	4
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	4
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Nearside Front Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts \|3.6.B.2a\|	4
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	4
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	4
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	4
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))	4
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Service brake is causing the steering wheel to severely pull one way \|3.7.C.2\|	4

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 petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1983

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