Used Land Rover Defender 2020-present reliability review
Expensive running costs aside, the Land Rover Defender is stylish, practical and plush, and a great used buy.
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What's the used Land Rover Defender 110 like?
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Reliability
George Hill & Mark Pearson
Updated: 15 October 2026
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What should I look for in a used Land Rover Defender 110?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
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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.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Defender 110?
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.
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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 pulley 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.
Is a used Land Rover Defender 110 reliable?
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.
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In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, it ranked fourth out of 14 cars in the seven-seater category. Its reliability score of 91.0% was a little down on what it achieved in the 2025 survey, but placed it above the Volvo XC90 (fifth place) and Audi Q7 (12th), and 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 bottom of the league table, placing 30th out of 30 manufacturers. Its overall reliability rating of 84.9% puts it below Audi, BMW and Mercedes, and indeed everyone else.
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, owners frequently raised reliability concerns. 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.
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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.
Tips & Advice
Don’t miss a recall
If your car is to be recalled, you should arrange the work to be carried out quickly. Sign up to our recall alerts to ensure you’ll not miss a thing
Check for outstanding recalls
Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy
Choose the right breakdown cover
You may already have a breakdown policy through your home insurance or new-car warranty so check to avoid paying twice
Ensure you have breakdown cover
Thousands of What Car? readers deliver their verdict on the best breakdown companies helping you to choose the best cover
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About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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