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Land rover DEFENDER - 2003

335.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Land rover DEFENDER, model year 2003. Sample size: 4,917 cars, 10,932 tests and 36,704 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 4,917 cars

The 2003 Land Rover Defender has an overall defect rate of 336 per 100 vehicles, which is 11% lower than the average for cars of the same year. Notably, it performs better than average in categories such as brakes, lights and electrics, and wheels, with significantly lower defect rates. However, it shows concerning results in steering and equipment defects, with rates that are much higher than the average. Additionally, defect rates tend to increase with mileage, particularly in the higher mileage segments where the Defender's figures surpass the yearly averages. Overall, while it excels in some areas, there are specific categories where the Defender underperforms compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 4,917 cars

More model years for Land rover DEFENDER

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2020 2021 2022 2023

Other models from Land rover

Land rover 88 Land rover DEFENDER Land rover DISCOVERY Land rover FREELANDER Land rover RANGE ROVER

Categories

Brakes
▲ 28.3% better
121.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 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
▼ 177.8% worse
70.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • 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.
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 6.0% better
28.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • 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
Lights & Electrics
▲ 42.6% better
59.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
  • 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
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 35.9% better
193.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A shock absorber bush excessively worn
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
Body/Structure
▲ 4.8% better
62.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket: is significantly reduced
Equipment
▼ 376.5% worse
64.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt:
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▼ 37.6% worse
72.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
  • Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
  • 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
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions test unable to be completed

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 538 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* 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: 3,543
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,791
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,472
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,404
A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,348
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,274
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,184
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,147
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 997
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 972

Serious faults (Top 10)

Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 524
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 383
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 366
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 360
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 324
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 317
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 277
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 252
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 228
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 211