Land Rover Defender Defender
The Land Rover Defender Defender (1990–2016): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 20 versions in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Model codes: L316
Dimensions, weights and capacity
| Specification | Europe | North America | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 4,600–4,760 mm RDW | 4,330–4,760 mm TC | – |
| Width | 2,000 mm RDW | 2,010 mm TC | – |
| Height | 1,920–2,060 mm RDW | 1,970 mm TC | – |
| Wheelbase | 2,360–3,020 mm RDW | 2,590–3,020 mm TC | – |
| Front track | 1,486–1,698 mm ASTRA | 1,710 mm TC | – |
| Rear track | 1,486–1,683 mm ASTRA | 1,700 mm TC | – |
| Weights and towing | |||
| Kerb weight | 1,800–2,593 kg RDW | 2,186–2,243 kg TC | 2,140–2,745 kg |
| Mass in running order | 1,900–2,693 kg RDW | – | – |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,550–3,300 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, braked trailer | 3,000–3,500 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, unbraked trailer | 750 kg RDW | – | – |
| Seats and space | |||
| Seats | 5–9 RDW | – | – |
| Doors | 3–5 RDW | – | – |
| Fuel tank | – | – | 84–90 L |
| Performance | |||
| Top speed | 129–209 km/h RDW | – | – |
| Torque | 350–700 Nm ASTRA | – | 400–750 Nm |
Tyre sizes (most common first): 255/60R20, 255/65R19, 235/85R16, 275/45R22, 255/70R18
Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Transport Canada vehicle specifications, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Wikipedia, Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reliability and owner reports
UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age
| Age at test | Pass rate | UK average | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 94.1% (93.7–94.5) | 92.2% | 11,936 |
| 4–5 years | 92.3% (91.4–93.1) | 91.0% | 3,924 |
| 6–8 years | 87.6% (87.1–88.0) | 86.4% | 23,181 |
| 9–12 years | 81.5% (81.2–81.9) | 77.9% | 51,735 |
| 13 years and older | 70.4% (70.2–70.6) | 69.2% | 187,982 |
What the MOT finds
| Area | This model | UK average, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 29.0% | 32.1% |
| Suspension | 29.0% | 34.3% |
| Steering | 20.6% | 6.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 20.1% | 13.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 20.0% | 23.6% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 15.7% | 14.2% |
First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)
Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)
320 complaints for model years 1990–2026. 3 crashes · 6 fires · 3 injuries
- Electrical system 105
- Lights 60
- Visibility and wipers 55
- Engine 41
- Steering 26
- Transmission and drivetrain 22
Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints
All 20 versions of the Land Rover Defender Defender
Show all 20 versions
European Union 9 versions
New cars registered in the EU (plus Norway and Iceland), from the European Environment Agency. Figures on the NEDC procedure until 2020 and on WLTP from 2021; versions are grouped by engine and power, with their number of registrations.
| Years and version | Engine | Power | Fuel | CO₂ | EU registrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2015 | 2.2 L | 90 kW (122 PS) | Diesel | 284–295 g/km | 113 |
| 2015 | 2.0 L | 100 kW (136 PS) | Petrol | – | 28 |
| 2011–2013 | 2.4 L | 90 kW (122 PS) | Diesel | 273–292 g/km | 323 |
| 2010–2012 | – | – | Diesel | 291–295 g/km | 26 |
| 2010 | 2.4 L | – | Diesel | 280 g/km | 6,464 |
| 2010 | – | – | Other fuel | 279 g/km | 28 |
| 2010 | 2.0 L | – | Petrol | – | 18 |
| 2010 | 2.4 L | – | Diesel | 266 g/km | 10 |
| 2010 | 2.5 L | – | Diesel | – | 10 |
United Kingdom 8 versions
New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–20102.4 90 (07 MY) · 2.4 90 | 2.4 L | Diesel | 6-speed manual | 10.0 L/100 km NEDC | 266 g/km |
| 2007–20102.4 110 (07 MY) · 2.4 110 | 2.4 L | Diesel | 6-speed manual | 11.0 L/100 km NEDC | 291 g/km |
| 2006–20072.5 TD5 90 · 2.5 TD5 90 (06 MY) | 2.5 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 10.0 L/100 km NEDC | 282 g/km |
| 2006–20072.5 TD5 110 · 2.5 TD5 110 (06 MY) | 2.5 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 10.5 L/100 km NEDC | 299 g/km |
| 2002–20042.5 TD5 90 (2002 Model Year) · 2.5 TD5 90 (2003 Model Year) · 2.5 TD5 90 | 2.5 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 10.0 L/100 km NEDC | 282 g/km |
| 2002–20042.5 TD5 110 (2002 Model Year) · 2.5 TD5 110 (2003 Model Year) · 2.5 TD5 110 | 2.5 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 10.5 L/100 km NEDC | 299 g/km |
| 2000–2002TD5 Diesel 90" · 2.5 TD5 90 (2001 Model Year) | 2.5 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 10.1 L/100 km NEDC | 282 g/km |
| 2000–2002TD5 Diesel 110" · 2.5 TD5 110 (2001 Model Year) | 2.5 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 10.8 L/100 km NEDC | 299 g/km |
United States 3 versions
Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Drive | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997(FFS) | 4.0 L | Petrol | 4-speed automatic | Four- or all-wheel drive | 13 MPG (18.1 L/100 km) EPA | 425 g/km |
| 1994–1995(FFS), DC/FW · (FFS) | 3.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Four- or all-wheel drive | 13 MPG (18.1 L/100 km) EPA | 425 g/km |
| 1993(FFS) | 3.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Four- or all-wheel drive | 10 MPG (23.5 L/100 km) EPA | 552 g/km |
Similar models from other brands
Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.