Land Rover Series 3
From 309 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen and significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake. The top issue, an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 14 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 14 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 7 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 6 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 4 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 4 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 4 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is so weakened that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected | 4 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 4 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 3 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 3 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.1% of Series 3 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 18.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £102.
Typical mileage
Half of all Series 3s tested had between 24,730 and 65,968 miles on the clock.
At 48,258 median miles, the Series 3 has 0.05 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Land Rover models
Common questions
What is the Land Rover Series 3 MOT pass rate?
The Land Rover Series 3 has a 76.1% MOT pass rate based on 309 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Land Rover Series 3?
The most common MOT failure on the Land Rover Series 3 is an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 14 failures. Other common issues include windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen.
What is the typical mileage of a Land Rover Series 3 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Land Rover Series 3 is 48,258 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 24,730 and 65,968 miles.
Buying a used Series 3?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 76.1% pass rate and an average repair bill of £102 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.