2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto 2.0L Petrol · GS13 DEV

The most recent DVSA examination on 24 February 2026 recorded a Pass for this Land Rover Defender, accompanied by one Minor defect concerning windscreen damage that does not adversely affect the driver's view. A minor categorisation under the new MOT classification system denotes an issue that is not presently a failure point but warrants monitoring, and in this instance it is essentially cosmetic rather than mechanical. The earlier 2025 test passed with no defects recorded, while the 2024 examination included a Minor defect for a defective front wiper blade. Across the three documented examinations, no failures, advisories, or significant mechanical defects have been logged. The overall trajectory is therefore stable and unremarkable, with only superficial items appearing intermittently, which suggests the vehicle has been conscientiously maintained throughout its tested life, particularly given the substantial mileage it has accumulated. At 60,285 miles over five years, this Defender has been driven at approximately 12,000 miles annually, a figure notably above the average for a vehicle of this age and category. Higher annual mileage typically accelerates wear on consumable components such as brake pads and discs, tyres, and wiper blades, while also placing additional load on the clutch or torque converter, driveline mounts, and suspension components. There are no significant gaps in usage, which is generally beneficial as it reduces the likelihood of standing-related issues such as seized brake calipers, perished rubber components, or stale fluids. However, the high mileage means items such as brake discs, suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, and the dual-mass flywheel or torque converter may have already been replaced or may soon require attention, and a comprehensive service history should be verified to confirm timely intervention. Given the substantial mileage, a prospective buyer should undertake a thorough physical inspection with particular attention to the braking system. Brake disc wear should be measured directly, looking for scoring, lipping, or run-out that would indicate impending replacement, and the calipers should be checked for binding or uneven pad wear. Uneven tyre wear across the axles can point to suspension geometry issues, worn bushes, or weak coil springs, all of which should be examined by rocking the vehicle and listening for suspension knocks over uneven surfaces. The steering should be assessed for any play or clonking indicative of worn drop links or track rod ends, and the underbody, given Defender susceptibility to corrosion around chassis components and crossmembers, warrants close visual inspection. A test drive should be conducted with the engine cold and at operating temperature, listening for any diesel knock or excessive timing chain noise, and noting the smoothness of the automatic transmission shifts. The four-wheel-drive system should be engaged where possible to confirm proper operation, and any warning lights on the instrument cluster should be investigated prior to purchase. Beyond mileage-related items, age-appropriate checks remain relevant: tyre sidewalls should be examined for perishing or age degradation despite adequate tread, the 12-volt battery should be load-tested given the heavy electrical demands of modern Land Rover systems, and brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid should be confirmed as recently serviced according to time-based intervals rather than purely mileage-based ones. Given the Defender's known complexities with air suspension and electronic systems, a full diagnostic scan for stored fault codes would be highly advisable before committing to purchase.