Land Rover Defender Hse Auto (2021)

131 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.6% first-time pass rate

2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto

CarHunch analysed 131 real MOT records for the 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2021 Defender HSE Auto passes its MOT on the first attempt 87.6% of the time, beating the UK average of 80% by a solid margin—this is a genuinely reliable cohort, and dangerous defects are rare at just 2.3% of vehicles ever flagged. The petrol variant (which makes up the sample) performs consistently well at 88.1% pass rate.

At just under 28,000 miles median, these cars are still relatively young and low-mileage, which explains why they're averaging only 0.11 failures per vehicle; what's more telling is the 0.9 advisories per car, suggesting minor wear items are starting to emerge but nothing alarming. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension components and weathersealing—those advisories typically point to early signs of water ingress or bushings, which can become expensive on a Defender if left unchecked.

Generally reliable 7.6% above UK average
87.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
28,099
typical mileage
19,045–41,251 middle half
2.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.11
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Land Rover Defender Hse Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (98%) 128 88.1% 0.11
Other (2%) 2 100% 0
Diesel (1%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

19,045
low mileage
28,099
typical
41,251
high mileage

Half of all 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto vehicles fall between 19,045 and 41,251 miles.

2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 117 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

10 117 2023 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.11
Avg failures per vehicle
0.9
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Land Rover Defender Hse Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK