1991 Land Rover 90 Defender MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 90 Defender models manufactured in 1991, based on 187 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1991 Land Rover 90 Defender MOT Analysis
The 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender has an MOT pass rate of 55.1% based on 187 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 121,997 miles on the odometer. With a 44.9% failure rate, the 1991 90 Defender is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender is Body, chassis, structure, responsible for 2.1% of failures. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs range from £100–500+. Identification of the vehicle is the second most common issue at 1.1%. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment follows at 1.1%.
Top failures specific to 1991 models only. The overall 90 Defender page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 2.1% | 4 |
| 2 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.1% | 2 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 121,997 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 0.18 | 2.1% | 4 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.09 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.09 | 1.1% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender has an MOT pass rate of 55.1% based on 187 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 121,997 miles on the odometer. With a 44.9% failure rate, the 1991 90 Defender is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to body, chassis, structure: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely. With an average mileage of 121,997 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Body, chassis, structure — 2.1% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Identification of the vehicle — 1.1% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 1.1% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1991 Land Rover 90 Defender models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.