MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1987

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:54.47%

(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1987 passes without issue)

Based on:36,898 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	3008
Brake pipe excessively corroded	2198
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	2039
Registration plate lamp issues	1711
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1096
Registration plate issues	1047
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	841
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	755
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	645
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	575
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	566
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	562
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	550
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	549
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	548
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	523
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	501
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	468
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	430
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	415
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	366
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	365
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	354
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	352
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	350
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	344
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	330
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	321
Rear brake binding	321
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	318
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	313
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	308
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	304
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	298
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	298
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	296
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	289
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	289
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	282
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	282
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	280
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	269
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	268
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	258
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	257
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	239
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	235
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	234
Windscreen washer not working	228
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	222
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	219
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	213
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	211
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	208
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	207
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	202
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	202
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	201
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	201
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	201
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	199
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	198
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	192
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	191
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	190
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	190
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	190
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	189
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	188
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	188
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	187
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	182
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	177
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	176
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	175
Rear brake application uneven	174
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	172
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	169
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	165
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	164
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	162
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	162
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	160
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	160
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	159
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	156
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	153
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	153
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	152
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	152
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	146
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	145
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	144
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	144
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	141
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	140
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	139
Windscreen has damage	138
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	132
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	132
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	132
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	131
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	131
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	130
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	129
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	128
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	127
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	126
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	125
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	123
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	122
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	120
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	120
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	119
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	117
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	116
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	116
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	115
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	115
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	113
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	112
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	111
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	111
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	109
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	109
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	108
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	107
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	105
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	102
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	102
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	101
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	99
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	97
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	96
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	96
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	95
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	94
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	94
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	93
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	93
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	93
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	92
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	92
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	92
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	92
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	91
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	91
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	91
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	89
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	89
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	88
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	87
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	87
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	87
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	86
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	85
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	81
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	80
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed \|6.2.B.1a\|	79
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	79
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	79
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	75
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	74
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	72
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	71
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	71
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	71
Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	69
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	68
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	68
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	66
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	66
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	66
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	66
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	66
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	66
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	66
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	65
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	65
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	65
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	65
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	64
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	64
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	64
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	63
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	62
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	62
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	62
Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	62
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	61
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	61
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	61
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	61
Nearside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	61
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	60
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	60
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	60
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	60
Offside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	60
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	60
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))	59
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	59
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	59
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	58
Power steering pump drive system defective \|2.3.6\|	58
Front brake application uneven	58
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	58
Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	58
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	57
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	57
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	57
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	57
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	57
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	57
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\|	57
Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))	56
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	56
Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	56
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	56
Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	56
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	56
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	55
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	54
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	54
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	54
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	54
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	54
Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	53
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	53
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	53
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	53
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	53
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	52
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	52
Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	52
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	52
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	52
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))	52
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	52
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	51
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	51

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 1987

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