Used Land Rover Defender 2020-present reliability

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

The Defender is a large car, so check all corners carefully for any scuffs and dents. It's also worth having a look underneath the car for any damage too, because some examples might have seen some off-road use.

Check that all the electrical features are in working order, and take the example you're interested in on a test drive to make sure it feels and sounds in perfect mechanical order.

On six-cylinder diesel (D200, D250, D300, D350) and six-cylinder petrol (P400) vehicles, the incorrect specification of plastic was used to manufacture the oil filter housing. This housing may over time and with vehicle use crack, which could result in oil under pressure leaking and coming into contact with hot components of the engine which may result in a fire. Number of recalled vehicles: 599. Years applicable: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

There have been two security enhancement recalls offered for the Defender, both in 2024, to reduce the risk of theft. Both require a trip to the dealer for a free software update. Number of recalled vehicles: 47,815 (first update) and 15,408 (second update). Years applicable: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

The water pump pully drive belt is at risk of becoming damaged, leading to detachment or destruction. Number of recalled vehicles: 18,151. Years applicable: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.

The fixings connecting the exhaust downpipe to the catalytic converter may not have been tightened to the specified torque value. Number of recalled vehicles: 4002. Years applicable: 2020, 2021.

A damaged front seat belt pretensioner tube may have been installed on the seat belt retractor. Number of recalled vehicles: 2981. Years applicable: 2021, 2022.

Click here for more information. Contact your local Land Rover dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.

Land Rover isn't renowned for its reliability, but the Defender is arguably one of the more reliable cars in the firm's line-up.

In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, it ranked second out of 12 cars in the seven-seater category. Its reliability score of 96.3% placed it above the Volvo XC90 (fifth place) and Audi Q7 (12th), but below the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Owners told us their cars had an impressively low fault rate of 14%, with areas including the bodywork, electrics, interior trim and steering. Most cars (87%) could still be driven, indicating that the problems weren't too serious.

As a car brand, Land Rover ranked towards the bottom of the league table placing 27th out of 31 manufacturers. Its overall reliability rating of 87.1% puts it above Alfa Romeo, but below Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Lexus is still the premium brand to beat for dependability; it finished in second place in the table.

Used Land Rover Defender: owners' reliability data

In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, owners shared mixed opinions on the reliability of the 2020-present Land Rover Defender. While some praised its rugged design and off-road capability, reliability concerns were frequently mentioned. A recurring issue reported by owners involved warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, particularly for the vehicle's electronics and AdBlue system (on diesel examples). One reader mentioned repeated trips to the dealership to resolve faults, with the issues resurfacing soon after repairs.

Several respondents expressed frustration with the complexity and expense of repairs, highlighting the costliness of fixing faults. Experiences with the dealer network were varied. While some praised the staff for being courteous and accommodating, others described delays in sourcing parts, poor communication, and repairs taking longer than expected.

In summary, while the Defender’s bold image appeals to many, its reliability and dealer service leave room for improvement, especially regarding electronic faults and aftercare efficiency.