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MOT History from tests of petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDERs year 1996

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:57.19%
(The average a petrol LAND ROVER DEFENDER year 1996 passes without issue)
Based on:299 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment22
Brake pipe excessively corroded15
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |7.3.D.3|12
Horn not working |1.6.2a|11
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive |7.3.D.4|10
Registration plate issues10
Registration plate lamp issues8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|6
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|6
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|5
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|5
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|4
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Windscreen washer not working 3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))3
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|3
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|3
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|3
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))3
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|2
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|2
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|2
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|2
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|2
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort2
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|2
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|2
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|2
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))2
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|2
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |8.2.1.2 |c||2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Vehicle Identification Number not permanently displayed |6.3.5.a|1
Offside Front Steering column flexible coupling insecure |2.1.5|1
Offside Front Steering column universal joint insecure |2.1.5|1
Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Rear fog lamp switch missing |1.3.1a|1
Stop lamp not working both |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play + noisy |2.6.2|1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated1
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Drivers door catch insecure door wont latch closed (6.2.3 (c) (ii))1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage loose inertia reel loose (7.1.1 (b))1
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn lower arm to axle bush disintegrated (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak "Y" piece to centre silencer joint loose and blowing (8.2.1.1 (b))1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear axle top wishbone ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn axle tie rod bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn axle tie rod bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn axle ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Brake performance not tested due to condition of rear chassis (1.2.1 (g))1
Vehicle structure has a fracture which is likely to adversely affect braking or steering rear chassis areas (6.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced both front and both rear chassis areas heavily corroded and cracked (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area fractured to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected rear crossmember excessively cracked and corroded at o/s/r upper rear axle support arm (5.3.6 (a) (ii))1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength rear chassis corroded at rear anti roll bar mounting areas (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outrigger/chassis area (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))1
Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn both front lower trailing arm front bushes worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Offside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has excessive movement between a swivel joint and its housing |2.5.A.1b|1
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Power steering inoperative |2.1.5 |c| |i||1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| has a product on the lens so it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover missing |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis to rear cross member |6.1.1 |c| |i||1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Emissions not tested car is not running well enough to carry out emissions test |8.2.1.2 |d||1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Body insecure and dangerous to other road users |6.1.B.1b|1
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Brake master cylinder fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1e|1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis near trailing arm front mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength tie rod mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned wrong side |1.3.2a|1
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|1
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam |2.5.A.1a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Power steering component|s| leaking from a failed seal |2.3.3b|1
Intermediate drop arm insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Centre Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Front brake application uneven1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Rear Steering arm damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Nearside Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|1
Adjustable towbar locating pin excessively worn |6.6.5b|1
Adjustable towbar bracket excessively worn |6.6.5b|1
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Centre Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Steering column universal joint has excessive play U/J at steering box |2.1.5|1
Emissions not tested Unable to record reading with test equipment |7.3.A.1|1
Steering box has a significant oil leak |2.2.D.2e|1
Offside Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Windscreen has damage1
Nearside Front Steering locking device insecure |2.2.C.1g|1
Nearside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|1
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Lower Passenger`s seat insecure cushion |6.2.A.1|1
Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Fuel pipe insecure |7.2.1|1
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Steering system fouling |2.2.D.2a|1
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Trailing arm insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Electrical wiring insecure |1.9.2a|1
Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard |7.1.3|1
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|1
rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Brake pedal actuating lever has abnormal movement indicating maladjustment or excessive wear |3.3.A.1h|1
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|1
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|1
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.3.2f|1
Rear Passenger`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. all |6.2.A.2|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible led headlamps on both front headlamps (4.1.4 (c))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a))1
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength by anti roll bar bush (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength front of chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength front of chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength rear cross member (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn inner face (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Rear Panhard rod ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt a frame |2.4.G.2|1
Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm |2.2.C.1c|1
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Both sides rear cross member |6.1.1 |c| |i||1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Front Anti-roll bar missing |2.4.G.1|1
Rear Anti-roll bar missing |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))1
Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering box drop arm linkage (2.1.3 (b) (i))1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits 4.380 (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 0.894 (8.2.1.2 (c))1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits 0.900 (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))1
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Radius arm locating pin insecure bolt loose |2.4.G.3a|1
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect both no beam pattern |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulk head (1.1.21 (e) (i))1
Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop link from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Offside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|1
Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Centre Rear Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
passenger door does not latch securely closed |6.2.B.1a|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
Brake pipe leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed |6.2.B.1a|1
Emissions not tested |7.3.A.1|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |6.1.2 |a||1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |6.1.2 |a||1
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak |8.2.1.1 |b||1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| flickers when tapped lightly by hand |1.1.4c|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned |1.3.2a|1
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Steering wheel has movement relative to the column indicating looseness (2.2.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury bumper (6.2.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.4.1 (b) (ii))1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play front |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||1

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.

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