Land Rover Defender (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 180 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

97%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

3000cc Hybrid

Great Choice

97% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 15 points above average.

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Hybrid3000cc5 years old180 tests43k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 3000cc)

~30 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,958

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

97% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 15 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Land Rover brand average of 90%.

97% of MOT tests on Land Rover Defenders from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 180 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 42,929 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models351st of 3,336(top 11%)

Rank among Land Rover models54th of 599(top 10%)

vs average of all models+15%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+5%(92% avg)

vs Land Rover average+7%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

42,929

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Land Rover Defender had 42,929 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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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

Toyota RAV4

2020 · 2500cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

95%

-2%

BMW X5 XDRIVE45E M Sport Auto

2021 · 2998cc Hybrid

£2,563/year

88%

-9%

BMW M340I Xdrive MHEV Auto

2021 · 2998cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

93%

-4%

Lexus RX

2019 · 3456cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

96%

-1%

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About the 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is a large car. Our records list a 3000cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 180 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 42,929 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Land Rover Defender owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 Land Rover Defender Fuel Costs

The 3000cc hybrid engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Our estimate uses around 30 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2021 Land Rover Defender?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 97% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Land Rover Defender Reliability Trend

Newer Land Rover Defenders pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Land Rover Defender

At 5 years old, the Land Rover Defender offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Hybrid Battery Health

Medium risk

After 5 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Low risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

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 2021 Land Rover Defender stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Land Rover Defender(2021)	97%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413
Toyota RAV4(2020)	95%	£1,958	£200	Grp 25-38	£2,413same
BMW X5 XDRIVE45E M Sport Auto(2021)	88%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,563+£150
BMW M340I Xdrive MHEV Auto(2021)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Lexus RX(2019)	96%	£1,958	£200	Grp 35-50	£2,413same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 Land Rover Defender

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 97% of MOT tests on 2021 Land Rover Defenders ended in a pass, from 180 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Land Rover Defender cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Land Rover Defender?

97% of 180 MOT tests on the 2021 Land Rover Defender ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 351st of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 11%).

Which year Land Rover Defender has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Land Rover Defender has the highest MOT pass rate at 97% and the 1992 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Land Rover Defender?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Land Rover Defender is 42,929 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.