MOT History from tests of petrol 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:56.60%

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

Based on:5,864 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	360
Headlamp aim out of alignment	344
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	286
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	285
Registration plate lamp issues	266
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	190
Registration plate issues	139
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	121
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	104
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	88
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	83
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	79
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	78
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	77
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	74
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	72
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	69
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	65
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	62
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	59
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	56
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	54
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	53
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	52
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	50
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	49
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	49
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	48
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	48
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	47
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	47
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	47
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	42
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	41
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	41
Rear brake application uneven	41
Rear brake binding	41
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	41
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	41
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	40
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	40
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	40
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	37
Windscreen washer not working	37
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	36
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	36
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	35
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	34
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	32
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	32
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	31
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	30
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	27
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	26
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	26
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	26
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	26
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	25
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	25
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	24
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	24
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	24
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	24
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	23
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	23
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	23
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	22
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	22
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	21
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	21
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	20
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	20
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	20
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	20
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	20
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	20
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	20
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	19
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	19
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	19
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	18
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	18
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	18
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	18
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	18
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	18
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	17
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	17
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	17
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	17
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
Windscreen has damage	17
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	16
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	15
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	15
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	15
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	15
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	14
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	14
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	14
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	14
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	14
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	14
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	13
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	13
Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	13
Offside 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
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	13
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	12
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	12
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	12
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	12
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	12
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	12
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	11
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	11
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	11
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	11
Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	11
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	11
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	11
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	11
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	11
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	10
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	10
Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	10
Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	10
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	10
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	10
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	10
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	10
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	10
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	10
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	9
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	9
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	9
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	9
Intermediate drop arm insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	9
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	9
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	9
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	9
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	9
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	8
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	8
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	8
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	8
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	8
Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	8
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	8
Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
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\|	8
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	8
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	8
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	8
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	8
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	8
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	8

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 1989

Find us on Facebook