2022 Land Rover Defender S D Mhev Auto 3.0L Diesel · OU22 YST

The defining mechanical note in this Defender's short MOT history is a clear pattern of front tyre and headlamp concerns. The most recent test on 1 April 2026 resulted in a failure, including a dangerous defect for a structural bulge on the offside front tyre and a major defect for offside headlamp aim being too low. A second test on that same date passed with no defects recorded, indicating the dangerous tyre and aim issue were rectified prior to the re-test. The previous test on 4 March 2025 passed but carried an advisory for the offside front tyre being worn close to the legal limit, worn on the edge, and containing a nail. Across just two test dates there are two recorded events tied to the offside front tyre, one of them escalating from advisory to dangerous, which suggests the front-end geometry, wheel alignment, or tyre rotation discipline is worth close scrutiny before purchase. Mileage on this 2022 example stands at 29,089 miles, equating to roughly 7,272 miles per annum over its four-year life. That figure sits within typical parameters for a vehicle of this age, and there are no extended standing periods evident from the MOT record. The first MOT appears in March 2025, which aligns with the three-year anniversary exemption for cars first registered in 2022, and the gap between tests is consistent with normal annual usage rather than a prolonged lay-up. Moderate annual mileage of this nature tends to mean consumables such as tyres and brake friction material wear at a steady, predictable rate rather than suffering from either long-standing corrosion issues or accelerated wear from high-mileage motorway use. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas on inspection are the front axle and lighting system. On a test drive, listen for any thumping or drone from the offside front, as a structural bulge of the type flagged indicates internal belt separation; replace in pairs rather than singly and verify wheel alignment data at the supplying tyre retailer. Check that the offside headlamp is set correctly by parking on level ground facing a wall, confirming the cut-off line sits at or just below the horizontal, and inspect for any cracked lens, moisture ingress, or aftermarket LED bulb retrofits that may have altered the beam pattern. The 2025 advisory for edge wear on the offside front tyre points toward possible camber or tracking irregularity, so have the front suspension geometry, including wishbone bushes, drop links, and swivel joints, checked for play, and watch for steering pull or uneven shoulder wear during the test drive. Given the vehicle's light to moderate use, the brake system is unlikely to be heavily worn, but the discs and pads should still be visually inspected for lipping, surface corrosion, and pad material depth, with particular attention to any binding caliper that could explain unusual edge wear. The Defender's monocoque chassis and aluminium body panels are not generally prone to structural corrosion, so a walkaround focusing on the steel subframes, brake and fuel pipework, and underbody ancillaries is worthwhile, listening on the test drive for any clonks from the front suspension over bumps, knocks from anti-roll bar bushes, or vibrations through the brake pedal that could point to warped discs. Finally, confirm the precise rectification work undertaken between the two 1 April 2026 tests, as the move from dangerous tyre failure to clean pass on the same day demonstrates the defects were addressed but offers no record of the underlying cause, making an independent pre-purchase inspection at a Land Rover specialist strongly advisable.