2013 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 72.2% of Land Rover Defenders first used in 2013 passed their MOT first time, against 65.8% for all cars first used in 2013. Across 12,867 Defender first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Land Rover Defenders first used in 2013 (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 2013 Land Rover Defender MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Defenders first used in 2013 against all cars first used in 2013 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Defender figure was 6.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2013 Defender | All cars first used 2013 | Defender first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72.3% | 72.1% | 4,537 |
| 2022 | 73.7% | 70.3% | 4,323 |
| 2023 | 73.0% | 68.3% | 4,315 |
| 2024 | 72.4% | 66.8% | 4,322 |
| 2025 | 72.2% | 65.8% | 4,230 |
Common 2013 Land Rover Defender MOT failures
Share of the 3,535 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 18.1% | 639 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 13.1% | 462 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 12.9% | 456 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 8.5% | 300 |
| Reversing lamps: inoperative | 8.3% | 292 |
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 2013 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.
- 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2013 Land Rover Defender MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2013 Defenders, as a share of all 12,867 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 12.3% | 1,584 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | 8.1% | 1,036 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 6.1% | 780 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.1% | 659 |
| Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 4.7% | 599 |
Questions about the 2013 Land Rover Defender MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2013 Land Rover Defender?
In 2025, 72.2% of Defenders first used in 2013 passed their MOT first time, against 65.8% for all cars first used in 2013. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2013 Defender most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 60.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (24.0%) and suspension (22.5%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (18.1%).
How often does a 2013 Land Rover Defender fail its MOT?
In 2025, 27.8% of first tests on Defenders first used in 2013 did not pass first time: 20.7% failed, and a further 7.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,535 of 12,867 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2013 Land Rover Defender MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 12.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush” (8.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (6.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.1%) and “Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (4.7%).
Is a 2013 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 72.3% in 2021 to 72.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2013
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2013 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2013 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2013 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2013 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2013 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2013 Defender?
The numbers above cover every Defender first used in 2013 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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