Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Land Rover Defender?

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 2004 Land Rover Defender?

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 2004 Land Rover Defender?

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.

How many 2004 Land Rover Defender vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

43% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Land Rover Defender reliable?

Based on MOT data from 6,028 vehicles, the 2004 Land Rover Defender has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Land Rover Defender?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Land Rover Defender are: Oil leak, but not excessive (112.2% of vehicles), Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (44.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (43.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Land Rover Defender?

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 (2004)

6,028 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76% first-time pass rate

2004 Land Rover Defender

CarHunch analysed 6,028 real MOT records for the 2004 Land Rover Defender. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Defender falls below the UK average with a 76% first-time pass rate, and nearly half of these vehicles (43.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for any potential buyer. This is a workhorse that demands proper maintenance; expect an average of 5.45 failures and 31.4 advisories per test, suggesting these cars need regular attention to stay roadworthy.

At 83,000 miles median and 87,500 average, these Defenders have been worked hard over two decades, which explains the high defect rate. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on structural integrity, brakes, and suspension—the sheer number of advisories indicates that small issues compound quickly on this model.

The 2004 Land Rover Defender has a decent first-time pass rate (76%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

76%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

43.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

5.45

Over 20.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

83k

Middle half: 60k–110k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 31.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 6,028 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 6,028 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 112.2%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Oil leak · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Brake wear 44.2%

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 25.7%

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush · Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush · Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Wipers & washers 25%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Seat belts 24.6%

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened · Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened

Lighting 24.4%

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Tyre wear 24.2%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 6,028 Land Rover Defender cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Land Rover Defender

Based on MOT data from 6,028 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 43.1% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	6,009	76%	5.45

Colour Breakdown

Based on 178,788 Land Rover Defender vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Green 31.6%

56,491

Blue 21.4%

38,210

Grey 11.2%

19,977

White 10.1%

18,136

Black 10.1%

17,989

Red 8.6%

15,383

Silver 4.4%

7,819

Yellow 0.7%

1,237

Orange 0.6%

1,149

Cream 0.5%

850

Beige 0.4%

784

Brown 0.4%

763

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Land Rover Defender 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.

83,113

typical

59,606

low mileage

109,768

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Land Rover Defender vehicles fall between 59,606 and 109,768 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,606 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.

✓ 59,606–109,768 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Land Rover Defenders sit.

⚠ Over 148,186 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Land Rover Defender — Still on the Road

Most 2004 Land Rover Defenders are still being driven.

Strong survival — 4,107 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

20.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

5.45

Avg failures per vehicle

31.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Land Rover Defender: All Defender years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Land Rover Defender stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing