2004 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 64.5% of Land Rover Defenders first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 12,525 Defender first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Land Rover Defenders first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2004 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Defenders first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Defender figure was 6.7 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2004 Defender | All cars first used 2004 | Defender first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64.1% | 53.9% | 4,315 |
| 2022 | 63.9% | 55.2% | 4,253 |
| 2023 | 65.0% | 56.0% | 4,214 |
| 2024 | 64.9% | 56.4% | 4,183 |
| 2025 | 64.5% | 57.8% | 4,128 |
Common 2004 Land Rover Defender MOT failures
Share of the 4,407 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 9.5% | 417 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.4% | 415 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 8.2% | 360 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | 7.9% | 348 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 7.4% | 326 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Defender in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2004 Land Rover Defender before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2004 Land Rover Defender MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Defenders, as a share of all 12,525 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 21.2% | 2,653 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 16.1% | 2,012 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 9.4% | 1,178 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.1% | 1,012 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | 7.8% | 976 |
Questions about the 2004 Land Rover Defender MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Land Rover Defender?
In 2025, 64.5% of Defenders first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2004 Defender most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 48.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (33.1%) and brakes (31.2%). The single most common item was “Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush” (9.5%).
How often does a 2004 Land Rover Defender fail its MOT?
In 2025, 35.5% of first tests on Defenders first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 30.4% failed, and a further 5.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,407 of 12,525 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2004 Land Rover Defender MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 21.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (16.1%), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (9.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.1%) and “Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush” (7.8%).
Is a 2004 Land Rover Defender reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 64.1% in 2021 to 64.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2004
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2004 Defender?
The numbers above cover every Defender first used in 2004 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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