MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1988

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:54.55%

(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1988 passes without issue)

Based on:39,641 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	3008
Brake pipe excessively corroded	2333
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	2240
Registration plate lamp issues	2055
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1260
Registration plate issues	1126
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	848
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	805
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	663
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	616
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	613
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	601
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	557
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	540
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	532
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	500
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	494
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	490
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	444
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	438
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	434
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	431
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	412
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	412
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	411
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	408
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	373
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	362
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	353
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	349
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	340
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	339
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	332
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	329
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	324
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	318
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	313
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	303
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	302
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	294
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	287
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	285
Rear brake binding	282
Windscreen washer not working	282
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	280
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	267
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	261
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	260
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	258
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	258
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	253
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	248
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	244
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	239
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	236
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	235
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	223
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	221
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	218
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	217
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	216
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	215
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	210
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	208
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	202
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	201
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	201
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	200
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	199
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	198
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	197
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	197
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	193
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	193
Rear brake application uneven	191
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	190
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	186
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	185
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	182
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	179
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	176
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	175
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	175
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	172
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	171
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	170
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	168
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	166
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	165
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	164
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	162
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	160
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	157
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	153
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	151
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	150
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	149
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	149
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	148
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	148
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	143
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	141
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	140
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	140
Windscreen has damage	139
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	139
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	137
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	136
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	134
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	132
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	132
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	131
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	129
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	129
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	128
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	127
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	126
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	125
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	125
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	124
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	122
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	119
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	119
Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	118
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	117
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	117
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed \|6.2.B.1a\|	115
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	114
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	114
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	114
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	112
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	111
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	111
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	108
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	108
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	107
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	106
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	105
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	104
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	103
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	102
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	102
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	102
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	101
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	100
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	99
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	99
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	98
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	98
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	97
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	97
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	96
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	96
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	95
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	95
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	94
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	93
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	93
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	93
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	93
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	92
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	91
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	90
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	89
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	88
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	87
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	86
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	86
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	83
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	83
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	82
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	82
Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	81
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	80
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	80
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	79
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	78
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))	78
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	78
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	78
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	78
Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	77
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	76
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	76
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	74
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	73
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	72
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	72
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	72
Nearside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	71
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	71
Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	71
Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	71
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	69
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	69
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	69
Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	69
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	68
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	68
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	67
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	67
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	67
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	67
Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))	67
Power steering pump drive system defective \|2.3.6\|	67
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	67
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	66
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	65
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	65
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	65
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	65
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	64
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	64
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	64
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside \|3.7.C.2\|	64
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	64
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	64
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	63
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	63
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	62
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	62
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	62
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	62
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	62
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	62
Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	61
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	60
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	60
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	60
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	60
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	60
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	60
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	59
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))	59
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	58
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	58
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	58
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	57
Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	57
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	57
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	57
Front brake application uneven	56
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	55
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	55
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin \|2.5.A.3b\|	55
Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	55
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))	55
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	55
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	55

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 1988

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