Land Rover Defender (2016)
2016 Land Rover Defender
CarHunch analysed 2,267 real MOT records for the 2016 Land Rover Defender. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 2016 Land Rover Defender
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (97%) | 2,200 | 88.3% | 1 |
| Petrol (3%) | 65 | 88.4% | 0.77 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 58.3% | 5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 Land Rover Defender 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.
Half of all 2016 Land Rover Defender vehicles fall between 8,660 and 37,177 miles.
2016 Land Rover Defender — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 1,768 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Land Rover Defender
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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13.6%
Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed
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12.9%
Nearside Front Position lamp not working
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12.2%
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush
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12%
Offside Front Position lamp not working
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11.5%
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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11.2%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
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11.1%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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10.7%
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Land Rover Defender?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.