Land Rover New Defender MOT Failures: Common Issues & Parts Guide (L663, 2020–Present)

The New Defender divided opinion when it launched in 2020 — a monocoque body replacing the old ladder frame, air suspension instead of coil springs, and a luxury interior that would have been unthinkable in the original. Available as the shorter 90 or longer 110, with 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, the 3.0-litre straight-six mild hybrid, and the thundering 5.0 V8, it's both a genuine off-roader and a premium SUV. With the earliest cars now 6 years old and 13,165 MOT tests recorded in 2024, here's the first proper look at how the New Defender is ageing.

New Defender MOT Pass Rate

The New Defender holds an impressive 92.9% MOT pass rate — 16.2 percentage points above the UK average of 76.7%. That's an outstanding result for any Land Rover — and a world away from the old Defender's reputation. Only the Range Rover L460 (97.5% from a small early sample) scores higher across the JLR range.

The 2020 cars at 90.9% show the expected slight dip for the first production year, while the 2021 and 2022 models are passing at 93%+. The median mileage at MOT is just 31,314 miles — reflecting the Defender's dual role as a premium SUV (low-mileage school runs) and a working vehicle. With only 1,429 failure items from 13,165 tests, the New Defender averages just 0.11 failures per test — on par with the I-Pace and dramatically lower than any previous Land Rover.

1. Tyres & Wheels — 43.7% of All Failures

Tyres dominate the failure profile at 43.7% (625 items), with tyre damage alone accounting for over a quarter of all failures.

What Fails

• Tyre seriously damaged — 390 failures (the #1 item — 27.3% of ALL failures, 1 in 34 cars)
• Tyre cords visible or damaged — 94 failures
• Tyre tread depth non-compliant — 59 failures
• Tyre lump, bulge or tear — 15 failures
• TPMS malfunctioning — 16 failures
• Loose or missing wheel nut/bolt — 16 failures

The tyre damage count at 390 is striking for a car this young and this low-mileage. The New Defender weighs between 2,100 and 2,350 kg depending on spec, rides on 19"–22" wheels with relatively low-profile tyres (for an off-roader), and many owners take them on rough terrain — a combination that produces a lot of tyre damage. The loose wheel nut/bolt count at 16 is notable and worth checking after any wheel removal.

What You Need

Tip: The 19" steel wheels with all-terrain tyres are far more practical for UK roads (and off-road use) than the 20" or 22" alloys. Owners with large alloys and low-profile rubber are disproportionately represented in the tyre damage statistics. Check wheel nut torque after any wheel removal — the alloy wheels expand under heat and nuts can loosen.

2. Lamps & Lighting — 15.5% of Failures

Lighting accounts for 15.5% (221 items).

What Fails

• Lamp inoperative — 108 failures (the #3 item)
• SRS (airbag) MIL malfunction — 50 failures
• Headlamp aim outside limits — 17 failures
• Headlamp cleaning device inoperative — 16 failures
• Fog lamp inoperative — 13 failures

The general lamp failure at 108 is notable on a car this young — the New Defender uses LED lighting throughout, where individual LED failures within a cluster can trigger an MOT failure if more than half the LEDs in a unit are out. The SRS warning at 50 (1 in 263 cars) is high for a new vehicle — typically a seat occupancy sensor or wiring issue.

What You Need

Tip: LED light units can't have individual LEDs replaced — the whole unit needs swapping. Check all lights before the MOT, including the rear fog lamp (a common miss).

3. Number Plate — 12.1% of Failures

Number plate non-conformity at 12.1% (173 items) is extraordinarily high — the highest share of any vehicle we've analysed.

What Fails

• Number plate does not conform — 144 failures (the #2 individual item)
• Number plate showing incorrect registration — 13 failures
• Number plate inscription illegible — 10 failures

The non-conformity count at 144 — 1 in 91 cars — almost certainly reflects the high rate of aftermarket accessories on New Defenders. Custom number plate surrounds, show plates, relocated plates for winch bumpers, and tinted plate covers are all common in the Defender aftermarket scene — and they all fail the MOT.

Tip: Swap any aftermarket or show plates back to BS AU 145e compliant ones before the test. Oversized plate surrounds that obscure the plate border will also fail. If you've relocated the rear plate for an aftermarket spare wheel carrier or bumper, make sure it's still properly illuminated.

4. Brakes — 9.2% of Failures

Brakes account for 9.2% (132 items).

What Fails

• Brake lining/pad worn below 1.5mm — 79 failures (the #5 item)
• Brake pad worn to wear indicator — 24 failures
• Brake judder (fluctuation in effort) — 14 failures

The pad wear at 79 is moderate for a car this heavy. The judder count at 14 suggests disc warping from heavy use — possibly from towing or off-road descents. Overall, the braking system is performing well for a vehicle this size.

What You Need

5. Visibility — 6.7% of Failures

What Fails

• Wiper blade not clearing windscreen — 54 failures
• Windscreen washers non-functional — 19 failures
• Windscreen damaged in swept area — 14 failures

The windscreen damage at 14 is notable — the Defender's upright stance and flat windscreen make it more susceptible to stone chips than a raked-screen car.

What You Need

6. Emissions & Engine Management — 5.5% of Failures

What Fails

• Engine MIL illuminated — 70 failures (the #6 item — 1 in 188 cars)

The MIL count at 70 is relatively high for a car this young. On the diesel models, DPF regeneration failures (particularly on urban-driven cars) and AdBlue/NOx sensor faults are common triggers. The 3.0-litre mild hybrid petrol has also had software-related MIL issues.

What You Need

7. Suspension — 2.8% of Failures

Suspension is remarkably low at just 2.8% (40 items) — by far the lowest suspension failure rate of any Land Rover we've analysed with meaningful test volumes. At this age and mileage, the suspension simply hasn't had time to wear.

What Fails

• Suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn — 16 failures
• Shock absorber damaged or leaking — 14 failures

The shock absorber count at 14 on a car this young is worth noting — possibly from hard off-road use.

What You Need

Beyond the MOT: Major New Defender Faults That Drive Workshop Visits

Air Suspension Failure

The New Defender's air suspension (standard on most models) carries the familiar JLR risk — air springs leak, compressors work overtime, and the system can fail. The Defender's frequent off-road use accelerates wear, as debris and water exposure are harsher than typical road use.

Electrical & Software Issues

The New Defender is one of the most electronically complex Land Rovers ever built. Software glitches, infotainment freezes, and phantom warning messages have been widely reported. Over-the-air updates have addressed many issues, but some require dealer intervention.

Water Ingress

The New Defender has had reports of water ingress — particularly through the tailgate seal on the 110, and through the roof-mounted air intake snorkel if incorrectly fitted. Water in the footwells can damage under-seat electronics.

DPF Regeneration (Diesel Models)

The 2.0 and 3.0 diesel engines need regular high-speed running to regenerate the DPF. Cars used predominantly for short urban journeys block the DPF, triggering the engine management light. Given the Defender's appeal as a school-run car, this is a real-world issue.

Timing Chain (2.0 Ingenium Diesel)

The 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel carries the same timing chain risk as the XE, XF, E-Pace, and Discovery Sport. Oil dilution from incomplete DPF regen stretches the chain. The 2020 models are considered highest risk; later production runs have the upgraded chain.

Cooling System (3.0 I6 & 5.0 V8)

The 3.0-litre straight-six and 5.0 V8 share familiar JLR cooling system vulnerabilities — water pump wear, thermostat housing leaks, and brittle plastic coolant connectors.

New Defender MOT Failure Summary — At a Glance

The Land Rover MOT Evolution

The New Defender at 92.9% represents a generational leap in Land Rover reliability. The failure profile looks more like a modern Jaguar (tyres and number plates) than a traditional Land Rover (suspension, corrosion, brakes).

Keeping Your New Defender on the Road

The New Defender is the easiest Land Rover to keep on the road — its 92.9% pass rate and 0.11 failures per test are in a different league from every previous Land Rover. Structural corrosion is 0.3%, suspension wear is 2.8%, and brake pipe corrosion doesn't appear at all. The days of Land Rovers failing on three, four, five items simultaneously are over — at least for now.

The MOT story is almost entirely about tyres (43.7%), aftermarket number plates (12.1%), and lights (15.5%). All easily addressed before the test. If you've fitted aftermarket accessories, check they don't obscure the plates, and check every LED light unit is fully functional.

The beyond-MOT risks are the familiar JLR concerns: air suspension longevity, Ingenium diesel timing chains (2020 cars especially), and DPF clogging on short-journey diesels. Service it on schedule, drive it on the motorway occasionally, and it'll be fine.

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Service & Maintenance Parts

Data sourced from DVSA anonymised MOT test results (2024 test year, 13,165 tests on New Defender L663 models with first use dates 2020–2022). 1,429 individual failure items analysed.