MOT History from tests of diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1989

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:53.38%

(The average a diesel LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1989 passes without issue)

Based on:47,849 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	3721
Brake pipe excessively corroded	3255
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	2882
Registration plate lamp issues	2419
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1601
Registration plate issues	1396
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	1105
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	983
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	816
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	753
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	749
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	742
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	687
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	649
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	629
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	618
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	592
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	587
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	587
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	580
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	579
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	572
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	561
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	543
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	536
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	529
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	509
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	505
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	482
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	460
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	452
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	439
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	437
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	437
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	436
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	423
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	404
Rear brake binding	402
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	396
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	387
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	385
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	380
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	375
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	362
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	361
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	345
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	334
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	330
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	330
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	328
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	323
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	321
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	318
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	312
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	301
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	297
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	290
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	287
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	280
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	275
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	273
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	270
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	268
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	267
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	261
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	261
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	258
Windscreen washer not working	256
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	253
Rear brake application uneven	250
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	249
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	248
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	243
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	240
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	238
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	234
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	234
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	230
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	226
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	226
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	220
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	217
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	211
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	209
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	208
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	207
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	206
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	206
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	205
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	204
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	204
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	204
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	203
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	203
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	203
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	202
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	202
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	200
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	196
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	192
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	190
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	189
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	188
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	187
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	185
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	184
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	184
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	181
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	181
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	175
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	174
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	172
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	169
Windscreen has damage	168
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	165
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	163
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	162
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	161
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	161
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	160
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	159
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	156
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	154
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	152
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	151
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	147
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	146
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	146
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	144
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	141
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	141
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	140
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	139
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	138
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	138
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	137
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	136
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	136
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	136
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	130
Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	130
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	128
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	127
Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	127
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	123
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	123
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	121
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	119
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	118
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	118
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	117
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	115
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	114
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	114
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	114
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	112
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	110
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	107
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	107
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	105
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	105
Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	105
Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	105
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	105
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	104
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	104
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	103
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	103
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	103
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	103
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	101
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	101
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	101
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	100
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	99
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	99
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	98
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	96
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	96
Nearside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	95
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed \|6.2.B.1a\|	94
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	94
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	94
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin \|2.5.A.3b\|	94
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	93
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	92
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	92
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	91
Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	91
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	91
Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	91
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	91
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	89
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	89
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	89
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	88
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	88
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	87
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	86
Power steering pump drive system defective \|2.3.6\|	85
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	85
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	84
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	83
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	83
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	83
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	83
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	80
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	80
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	80
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin \|2.5.A.3b\|	79
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	78
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	78
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	77
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking from a joint \|2.3.3b\|	77
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	76
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	75
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	75
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	74
Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	74
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	73
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	73
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	73
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	72
Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	72
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	72
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	72
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	71
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	70
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	70
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	70
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	70
Nearside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	70
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	70
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	69
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	68
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	68
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	68
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\|	67
Offside Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	67
Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	67
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	67
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	67
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	67

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 1989

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