1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 88" - 4 Cyl models manufactured in 1979, based on 1,675 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 88" - 4 Cyl cars tested in 1979. Want to see how cars built in 1979 hold up over time?
View 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl vintage page → (62.0% current pass rate)1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl MOT Analysis
The 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl has an MOT pass rate of 53.9% based on 1,675 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,263 miles on the odometer. With a 46.1% failure rate, the 1979 88" - 4 Cyl is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl is Noise, emissions and leaks, responsible for 0.3% of failures. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs range from £100–1,000+. Steering is the second most common issue at 0.2%. Brakes follows at 0.2%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall 88" - 4 Cyl page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
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| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.3% | 5 |
| 2 | Steering | 0.2% | 4 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.2% | 3 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.1% | 2 |
| 5 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Speedometer And Speed Limiter | 0.1% | 1 |
| 7 | Visibility | 0.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,263 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.06 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Steering | 0.05 | 0.2% | 4 |
| Brakes | 0.03 | 0.2% | 3 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.02 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Visibility | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl has an MOT pass rate of 53.9% based on 1,675 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,263 miles on the odometer. With a 46.1% failure rate, the 1979 88" - 4 Cyl is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to noise, emissions and leaks: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help. At 51,263 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.3% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.3% of MOT failures on 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Steering — 0.2% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Brakes — 0.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1979 Land Rover 88" - 4 Cyl models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.