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. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

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.

We have limited data for the 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass
87.6%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
2.3%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.11
Over 2.1 tests on record
Low
Typical mileage
28k
Middle half: 19k–41k
For context

These stats describe 131 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 131 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto

Based on MOT data from 131 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (98%) 128 88.1% 0.11

Mileage Distribution

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

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

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

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 19,045 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
19,045–41,251 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Autos sit.
Over 55,688 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto — Still on the Road

Almost all 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Autos are 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
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Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Land Rover Defender Hse Auto stacks up against a rival.

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