How much does a 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

The 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER has a 75% MOT pass rate based on 5,673 tests in 2026. This ranks 131 out of 362 cars from 2001.

Which year LAND ROVER DEFENDER is most reliable?

The 2021 LAND ROVER DEFENDER has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 1992 at 74%.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER (2001)

Q: Is the 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of LAND ROVER DEFENDERs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 5,673 tests. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

The average mileage for a 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER is 131,257 miles, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,673 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2495cc Diesel

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Diesel2495cc25 years old5,673 tests131k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2495cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2495cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the LAND ROVER brand average of 90%.

At 25 years old, 75% of LAND ROVER DEFENDERs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,673 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 131,257 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars131th of 362(top 36%)

Rank among LAND ROVER models602th of 630(top 96%)

vs national average-7%(82% avg)

vs 2001 cars average+2%(73% avg)

vs LAND ROVER average-15%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

131,257

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER has 131,257 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2001 sits between the two at 75%.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	97%	180	42,929 mi
2020	97%	156	35,400 mi
2016	91%	3,316	35,776 mi
2015	89%	12,411	48,785 mi
2014	87%	10,525	59,995 mi
2013	84%	8,186	66,606 mi
2012	83%	7,139	71,959 mi
2011	81%	7,345	82,891 mi
2010	80%	7,290	85,020 mi
2009	79%	6,584	90,754 mi
2008	81%	7,024	98,525 mi
2007	79%	7,656	101,926 mi
2006	78%	6,868	109,686 mi
2005	77%	7,581	112,742 mi
2004	77%	7,976	120,020 mi
2003	77%	8,035	129,000 mi
2002	77%	6,870	132,092 mi
2001	75%	5,673	131,257 mi
2000	75%	5,304	134,243 mi
1999	75%	8,887	140,417 mi
1998	76%	10,516	136,993 mi
1997	76%	10,084	146,489 mi
1996	74%	10,767	153,542 mi
1995	74%	9,229	143,046 mi
1994	74%	7,092	141,555 mi
1993	76%	5,910	137,101 mi
1992	74%	4,530	143,915 mi
1991	76%	5,265	141,354 mi
1990	75%	5,027	142,154 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2003 · 2926cc Diesel

£2,050/year

78%

+3%

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

2003 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

71%

-4%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

2003 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,050/year

77%

+2%

AUDI A4

2003 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

74%

-1%

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About the 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER

The 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER is a large car with a 2495cc diesel engine. 5,673 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 131,257 miles at 25 years old, LAND ROVER DEFENDER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER Fuel Costs

The 2495cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER Reliability Trend

Newer LAND ROVER DEFENDERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER

At 25 years old, the LAND ROVER DEFENDER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. With 5,673 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 131k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 LAND ROVER DEFENDER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(2001)	75%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2195
BMW 3 SERIES(2003)	78%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£2050-£145
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2003)	71%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2003)	77%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
AUDI A4(2003)	74%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.