1991 Land Rover Defender petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Land Rover Defender first registered in 1991 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 164 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 164 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
Common 1991 Land Rover Defender petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 1991 Land Rover Defender petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension34% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Lights and electrics32% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Oil and fluid leaks26% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
- Exhaust and emissions20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.
- Brakes19% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Rust and bodywork15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1991 Land Rover Defender petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Land Rover Defender?
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Other years
Every year of the Land Rover Defender compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 529 | Tyres 6% |
| 2022 | 10,198 | Tyres 16% |
| 2021 | 16,997 | Tyres 16% |
| 2020 | 12,258 | Tyres 17% |
| 2019 | – | Too few tests |
| 2016 | 5,259 | Lights and electrics 15% |
| 2015 | 19,425 | Brakes 20% |
| 2014 | 17,079 | Lights and electrics 23% |
| 2013 | 12,768 | Lights and electrics 25% |
| 2012 | 11,292 | Brakes 28% |
| 2011 | 11,607 | Suspension 30% |
| 2010 | 11,558 | Suspension 33% |
| 2009 | 10,166 | Suspension 33% |
| 2008 | 10,865 | Suspension 35% |
| 2007 | 11,617 | Suspension 37% |
| 2006 | 11,038 | Suspension 37% |
| 2005 | 12,200 | Suspension 38% |
| 2004 | 12,447 | Suspension 38% |
| 2003 | 12,858 | Suspension 40% |
| 2002 | 11,282 | Suspension 39% |
| 2001 | 9,161 | Suspension 37% |
| 2000 | 8,745 | Suspension 39% |
| 1999 | 8,812 | Suspension 38% |
| 1998 | 10,222 | Lights and electrics 38% |
| 1997 | 9,899 | Lights and electrics 38% |
| 1996 | 10,182 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 1995 | 8,462 | Lights and electrics 40% |
| 1994 | 6,802 | Lights and electrics 40% |
| 1993 | 5,523 | Lights and electrics 37% |
| 1992 | 4,355 | Lights and electrics 37% |
| 1990 | 4,751 | Lights and electrics 37% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Land Rover Defender cars first registered in 1991. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score