Land Rover Defender S Auto (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 259 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,086
£174/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 18-32
1997cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Land Rover brand average of 90%.
94% of MOT tests on Land Rover Defender S Autos from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 259 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 28,211 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
28,211
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto had 28,211 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
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Land Rover Defender S Auto by Year
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About the 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto
The 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto is a family car. Our records list a 1997cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 259 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 28,211 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Land Rover Defender S Auto owners cover more miles than the average driver.
2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto Fuel Costs
The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 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).
What does it cost to own a 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto
At 5 years old, the Land Rover Defender S Auto 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.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 S Auto 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 S Auto(2021) | 94% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| MINI Cooper(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Hyundai Tucson(2019) | 90% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
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 S Auto
Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 Land Rover Defender S Autos ended in a pass, from 259 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 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 S Auto?
94% of 259 MOT tests on the 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1267th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).
Which year Land Rover Defender S Auto has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2020 the lowest at 91%. 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 S Auto?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Land Rover Defender S Auto is 28,211 miles, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
Related Land Rover Models
Explore other Land Rover cars or similar models in the same category.
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Volkswagen Golf
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Nissan Qashqai
2020 · 1598cc Petrol
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