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Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) (1998-2016) reliability

At a glance

Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) built around 2016: about average at the MOT

Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) models built around 2016 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) models built around 2016 ended in a fail (retests included), against 21% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) models built around 2016 involves the brakes.

Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma)
excellent reliability1998-2016SUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 96,530 tests of Defender models registered 1998-2016.

About 1 in 25 Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) MOTs (4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2016 (9 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,584 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 30 Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) MOTs (3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2016 (9 years old).

Based on 4,584 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Classic (Td5/Puma) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
51014.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
4,58416.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,97518.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
6,68521.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5,41122.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,09322.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,46024.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,93225.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,41324.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,50525.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,78425.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
5,36926.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
5,50426.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
5,82327.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5,62026.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
4,56427.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
3,64727.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
10,65127.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

How the Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) compares

At each age below, see how the Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 84,766 tests across 6 Land Rover models, built around 2016 (9 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateLand Rover average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
51014.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
4,58416.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,97518.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
6,68521.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5,41122.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,09322.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,46024.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,93225.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,41324.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,50525.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,78425.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
5,36926.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
5,50426.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
5,82327.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5,62026.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
4,56427.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
3,64727.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
10,65127.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Seats & Seatbelts

Worth checking

Inspect the seats & seatbelts carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Defender Classic (Td5/Puma).

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.3%, against 16.0% for the Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma), both built around 2016.

    1,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.3%, against 16.0% for the Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma), both built around 2016.

    4,025 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz GLE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.7%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    77%

    Lower fail rate: 11.6%, against 16.0% for the Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma), both built around 2016.

    4,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  4. 4

    MINI Countryman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.1%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.7%, against 4.0% for the Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma).

    10,392 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Land Rover Defender.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

33 recalls in all

13 of the 33 Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 13 recalls

Top concerns

  • Defender 90” Classic works LP fuel line clash to bracket
  • Land rover Defender incorrect brake pipe routing
  • Front axle casing may fail causing the suspension to collapse

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) cars have aged

How Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%5791113151719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (1,702 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.2% (1,649 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (1,614 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (1,552 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 14.4% (1,580 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (5,737 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (5,607 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (5,330 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (5,177 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.0% (5,092 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (4,997 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (4,864 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.9% (4,698 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (4,604 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (4,471 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (3,767 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (3,617 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.0% (3,566 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (3,558 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (3,433 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (3,421 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (3,290 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (3,213 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (3,075 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (3,010 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (3,562 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (3,489 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (3,390 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (3,356 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (3,266 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (3,442 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (3,182 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (3,114 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (3,008 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (2,946 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (2,975 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (2,813 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (2,730 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (2,595 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (2,552 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (3,468 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (3,379 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (3,266 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (3,164 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (3,102 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (3,334 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (3,118 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (3,015 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (2,940 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (2,788 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (3,475 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (3,287 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (3,210 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (3,154 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (3,104 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.5% (3,579 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (3,473 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (3,358 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (3,289 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (3,167 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (3,687 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (3,640 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (3,472 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (3,412 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (3,340 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (3,845 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (3,640 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (3,505 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (3,446 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (3,314 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (3,196 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (3,010 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.8% (2,865 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (2,788 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (2,690 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (2,713 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (2,528 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (2,416 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (2,232 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (2,131 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (2,652 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (2,569 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (2,467 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.8% (2,321 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (2,311 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,405 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (2,280 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (2,203 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (2,083 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (2,869 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (2,664 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (2,533 tests, 2023 data)1998
First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
Classic (Td5/Puma) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Land Rover Defenders of this age

This list covers every Land Rover Defender built around 2016, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Classic (Td5/Puma) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    9.5%
    Advisory: 731Fail: 105 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber bush slightly worn

    7.9%
    Advisory: 511Fail: 131 (20% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed

    6.5%
    Advisory: 356Fail: 34 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    5.9%
    Advisory: 338Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    5.8%
    Advisory: 288Fail: 53 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,584 tests

Looking at a Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2016 (9 years old), the Land Rover Defender Classic (Td5/Puma) (1998-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,584 9-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 96,530 MOT tests on Land Rover Defenders first registered between 1998-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.