MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1985

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:57.33%

(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1985 passes without issue)

Based on:30,869 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	2298
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	1476
Brake pipe excessively corroded	1473
Registration plate lamp issues	1287
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	917
Registration plate issues	863
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	605
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	565
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	517
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	502
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	492
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	449
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	428
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	420
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	416
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	414
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	413
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	406
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	390
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	379
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	345
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	341
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	336
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	309
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	305
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	299
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	296
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	292
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	283
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	281
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	252
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	252
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	243
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	240
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	240
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	235
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	235
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	230
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	229
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	229
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	228
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	219
Windscreen washer not working	213
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	209
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	209
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	202
Rear brake binding	202
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	200
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	190
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	189
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	184
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	181
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	180
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	179
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	177
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	169
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	165
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	164
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	161
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	157
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	155
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	152
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	150
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	150
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	146
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	146
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	142
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	141
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	141
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	141
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	140
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	139
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	138
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	135
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	134
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	132
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	132
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	131
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	130
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	130
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	129
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	128
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	126
Rear brake application uneven	124
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	122
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	120
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	120
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	118
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	117
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	116
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	111
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	111
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	110
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	108
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	106
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	105
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	105
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	105
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	105
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	104
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	104
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	102
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	101
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	101
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	101
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	100
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	100
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	98
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	98
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	97
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	96
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	96
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	96
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	94
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	93
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	92
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	90
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	89
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	89
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	88
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	87
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	87
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	87
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	86
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	83
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	82
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	82
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	81
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	81
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	81
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	81
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	81
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	80
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	79
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	78
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	76
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	76
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	75
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	75
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	75
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	75
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	75
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	75
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	74
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	73
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	73
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	73
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	72
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	71
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	71
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	71
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	70
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	69
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	69
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	69
Windscreen has damage	67
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	66
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	66
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	66
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	66
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	65
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	64
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	63
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	63
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	62
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	60
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	59
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	58
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	58
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	58
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	58
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	57
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	57
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	57
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	56
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	56
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	56
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	56
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	56
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	55
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	55
Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	55
Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	54
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	54
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))	54
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	53
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	53
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	53
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	53
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	52
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	52
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	52
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	52
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))	51
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	51
Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	51
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	51
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	50
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	50
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	50
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	49
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	49
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	49
Front brake application uneven	48
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	48
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	48
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	48
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	48
Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	47
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))	47
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	47
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))	47
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	46
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	46
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	46
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	46
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	46
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	46
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	46
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	46
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	46
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	45
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	45
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	45
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	44
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	44
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	44
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	44
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	44
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	44
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	43
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	43
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	42
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	42
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	42
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	41
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	41
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	40
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	40
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	40
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	40
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	40
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	40
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	40

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 1985

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