The picture
Defender Se D Auto: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 969 MOT tests, the Defender Se D Auto returns 91.1% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A seriously damaged tyre and a non-conforming number plate round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 28,868, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
35 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
25 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 03
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
13 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 04
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 05
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 06
Wiper blade defective
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
A headlamp cleaning device inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID)
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
A tyre cords visible or damaged
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 10
A tyre seriously damaged
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£95–£195
If every one of this Defender SE D Auto's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
MOT-spec replacement number plate
Faded or non-standard plates fail outright. Replacements take ten minutes online with V5C details.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Defender SE D Auto?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Defender SE D Auto and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.