How much does a 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

The 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 3,316 tests in 2026. This ranks 170 out of 586 cars from 2016.

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 (2016)

Q: Is the 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of LAND ROVER DEFENDERs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 3,316 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

The average mileage for a 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER is 35,776 miles, which is significantly below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,316 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,895

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2200cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1895/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Diesel2200cc10 years old3,316 tests36k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2200cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2200cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,895

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 91% of LAND ROVER DEFENDERs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,316 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 35,776 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars170th of 586(top 29%)

Rank among LAND ROVER models322th of 630(top 51%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+6%(85% avg)

vs LAND ROVER average+1%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,776

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER has 35,776 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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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 2016 sits between the two at 91%.

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

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2015 · 1968cc Diesel

£1,577/year

89%

-2%

FORD TRANSIT

2017 · 1995cc Diesel

£1,632/year

81%

-10%

KIA SPORTAGE

2016 · 1700cc Diesel

£1,577/year

85%

-6%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

2016 · 1999cc Diesel

£1,427/year

90%

-1%

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About the 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER

The 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER is a family car with a 2200cc diesel engine. 3,316 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 35,776 miles at 10 years old, LAND ROVER DEFENDER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER Fuel Costs

The 2200cc 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 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER

At 10 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 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.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

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.

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 2016 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(2016)	91%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£1895
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2015)	89%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1577-£318
FORD TRANSIT(2017)	81%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1632-£263
KIA SPORTAGE(2016)	85%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1577-£318
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE(2016)	90%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1427-£468

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.