2021 Land Rover Defender SE D Mhev Auto 3.0L Diesel · DA21 ACO

The Defender’s most recent MOT test on 2 October 2025—just nine months ago at 41,217 miles—confirms a clean roadworthiness record with no defects or advisories. This consistency across three consecutive tests (April 2024, April 2025, and October 2025) suggests the vehicle has undergone regular maintenance and passed all mandatory checks without recurring mechanical issues. The absence of advisories or failings on brakes, suspension, or emissions indicates the tester did not identify any binding calipers, excessive corrosion, or failing components that would warrant further investigation. However, the lack of advisory notes also means no prior warnings about wear patterns, such as suspension bush deterioration or exhaust leaks, were documented. The mileage progression reveals a steady accumulation of approximately 8,243 miles annually, which aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. There are no abrupt jumps or prolonged periods of inactivity between tests—from 26,532 miles in April 2024 to 37,691 miles in April 2025, the vehicle covered 11,159 miles in a year, followed by another 3,526 miles in the subsequent six months. While this pattern suggests consistent driving rather than neglect, the gap between the October 2025 test and today (July 2026) means the vehicle has accumulated an additional 3,717 miles without an MOT. This places it just 1,283 miles shy of the 42,500-mile interval threshold, a period where minor wear—such as tyre tread degradation or brake pad friction material—could develop undetected. Given the clean MOT history, a buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of high-wear components that aren’t routinely tested. Focus on the suspension, particularly the coil springs and bushes, for signs of cracking or excessive play, as these are often overlooked until failure. The brakes, though not flagged in tests, warrant verification of disc thickness and caliper binding, especially if the vehicle has experienced aggressive driving or heavy loads. Examine the underbody for corrosion around the sills, wheel arches, and exhaust system, as the Defender’s off-road heritage makes it susceptible to rust progression. Finally, check the MHEV hybrid system’s cooling and battery health, as hybrid-specific failures are not always captured in standard MOT tests. The absence of advisories does not guarantee these areas are flawless, but it does indicate no prior issues were severe enough to merit a fail.