2002 Land Rover 90 Defender MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 90 Defender models manufactured in 2002, based on 100 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2002 Land Rover 90 Defender MOT Analysis
The 2002 Land Rover 90 Defender has an MOT pass rate of 63.0% based on 100 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 85,794 miles on the odometer. With a 37.0% failure rate, the 2002 90 Defender is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2002 Land Rover 90 Defender is Brakes, responsible for 11.0% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment is the second most common issue at 8.0%. Driver's View of the Road follows at 7.0%.
Top failures specific to 2002 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 | Brakes | 11.0% | 11 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 8.0% | 8 |
| 3 | Driver's View Of The Road | 7.0% | 7 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Towbars | 4.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.0% | 2 |
| 7 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 1.0% | 1 |
| 8 | Body, Structure And General Items | 1.0% | 1 |
| 9 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.0% | 1 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 85,794 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.28 | 11.0% | 11 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.93 | 8.0% | 8 |
| Visibility | 0.82 | 7.0% | 7 |
| Steering | 0.47 | 4.0% | 4 |
| Towbars | 0.47 | 4.0% | 4 |
| Suspension | 0.23 | 2.0% | 2 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.12 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.12 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.12 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.12 | 1.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2002 Land Rover 90 Defender has an MOT pass rate of 63.0% based on 100 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 85,794 miles on the odometer. With a 37.0% failure rate, the 2002 90 Defender is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2002 Land Rover 90 Defender, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: 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). With an average mileage of 85,794 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 11.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 11.0% of MOT failures on 2002 Land Rover 90 Defender 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).
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 8.0% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 8.0% of MOT failures on 2002 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.
Driver's View of the Road — 7.0% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 7.0% of MOT failures on 2002 Land Rover 90 Defender models. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.