Land rover DEFENDER - 2002
338.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2002 is 375.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Land rover DEFENDER, model year 2002.
Sample size: 4,312 cars, 9,351 tests and 31,676 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 4,312 cars
The 2002 Land Rover Defender shows an overall defect rate of 339 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 10% better than the average of 374 defects for vehicles of the same year. Notably, the Defender excels in categories such as Brakes and Lights & Electrics, where it has significantly fewer defects compared to the average. However, it struggles in Steering and Equipment, recording much higher defect rates than the average car. Defects generally increase with mileage, particularly in the higher mileage categories, indicating that older Defenders may face more issues over time. Overall, while the Defender has strengths in certain areas, it also has some notable weaknesses that potential owners should consider.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 4,312 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 25.4% better
124.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 167.0 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▼ 174.3% worse
69.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.3 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Steering box: leaking oil
Visibility
▲ 13.9% better
25.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.6 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 42.5% better
55.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 96.0 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 34.0% better
194.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 295.2 / 100 tests
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A shock absorber bush excessively worn
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
Body/Structure
▼ 1.5% worse
69.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 68.9 / 100 tests
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▼ 326.8% worse
63.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.9 / 100 tests
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- Audible warning:
- A seat belt:
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▼ 38.6% worse
74.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.6 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
- Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour to an extent likely to obscure the vision of other road users
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 3,096
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,598
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,272
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,272
A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,218
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,157
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,076
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 944
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 927
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 848
Serious faults (Top 10)
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 458
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 313
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 257
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 254
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 254
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 247
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 224
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 203
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 197
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 194