Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 106 vehicles, the 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 96%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto (2021)

106 real MOT outcomes analysed • 96% first-time pass rate

2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto

CarHunch analysed 106 real MOT records for the 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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This 2021 Defender diesel hybrid is genuinely reliable: 95.1% of vehicles pass first time, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, and only 2.8% have ever recorded a dangerous defect. Petrol versus diesel comparisons aren't available for this specific trim, but the diesel automatic's strong pass rate speaks for itself.

At just under 34,000 miles median (very low for a three-year-old vehicle), these Defenders show minimal wear—averaging only 0.13 failures per car and 1.0 advisory per car. If you're considering one, request the full MOT history to check what those advisories were, as the low failure count means you're looking at a fundamentally sound vehicle that's unlikely to surprise you with major bills.

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

First-time pass

96%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

2.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.13

Over 2.2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

34k

Middle half: 28k–44k

For context

These stats describe 106 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.

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Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 106 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto

Based on MOT data from 106 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.8% 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV 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.

33,950

typical

27,507

low mileage

44,282

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto vehicles fall between 27,507 and 44,282 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 27,507 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.

✓ 27,507–44,282 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Autos sit.

⚠ Over 59,780 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.13

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto: All Defender X D MHEV Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2022 2023 2024 2025

Or browse all models: Land Rover →

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See how the 2021 Land Rover Defender X D MHEV Auto stacks up against a rival.

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