MOT History from tests of petrol 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:58.80%

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

Based on:6,891 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	456
Brake pipe excessively corroded	345
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	311
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	299
Registration plate lamp issues	239
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	198
Registration plate issues	158
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	130
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	127
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	119
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	118
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	104
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	103
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	94
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	94
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	93
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	87
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	86
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	80
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	78
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	77
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	75
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	75
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	72
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	68
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	67
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	66
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	65
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	65
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	64
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	63
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	60
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	57
Rear brake binding	57
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	56
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	55
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	55
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	49
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	49
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	46
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	45
Windscreen washer not working	45
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	45
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	44
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	44
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	43
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	41
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	40
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	40
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	38
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	37
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	37
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	37
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	37
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	36
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	35
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	35
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	34
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	34
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	32
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	31
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	30
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	30
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	30
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	29
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	28
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	27
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	27
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	27
Rear brake application uneven	27
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	26
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	26
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	26
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	26
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	25
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	25
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	25
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	24
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	24
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	23
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	21
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	21
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	20
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	19
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	19
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	19
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	19
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	19
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	18
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	18
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	18
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	18
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	18
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	18
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	18
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	17
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	17
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	17
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	16
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	16
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	16
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	16
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	16
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	16
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	16
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	16
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	16
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	16
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	15
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	15
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	15
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	15
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	15
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	15
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	15
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	15
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	15
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	15
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	15
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	15
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	15
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	14
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	14
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	14
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	14
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	14
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	14
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	13
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	13
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))	12
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	12
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	12
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	12
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	12
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	12
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	12
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	12
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	12
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	12
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	11
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	11
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	11
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	11
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	11
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	11
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	11
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	11
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	11
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn \|7.2.4c\|	11
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	10
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	10
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	10
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	10
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	10
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	10
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	10
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	10
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	10
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	10
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	10
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	10
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	10
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	10
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	10
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	9
Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	9
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	9
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	9
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	9
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Position lamp switch insecure \|1.1.A.1\|	9
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	9
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	9
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	9

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 1985

Find us on Facebook