Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Rugged, endearing off-roader, never tested by Euro NCAP and with no standard airbags (Carbuyer). When buying, chassis and bulkhead corrosion is the first thing to check; on the Td5, cylinder head gasket, oil pump and injector wiring harness need a precise service history, and on the 2.2 the oil pump does too.
- Reliability
- 2.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €27,500 – €55,000
- Monthly cost
- €756
- Euro NCAP
- Not tested
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: Td5 2.5 122 ch, 2.2 TD Puma 122 ch.
Td5 2.5 122 ch
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 122 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
2.5 five-cylinder with 300 Nm, 5-speed gearbox with reduction range (1998-2006); the most common one on the used market. Check the cylinder head gasket, oil pump and injector wiring harness.
2.4 TD Puma 122 ch
Diesel · Manual · 122 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
2.4 from the Ford Duratorq family (2007-2011), manual gearbox; the first examples (2007-2009) are reported to have a blocked oil channel.
2.2 TD Puma 122 ch
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 122 hp · 11.1 L/100 km · 295 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air unclassified
Late-series 2.2 (2011-2016), manual gearbox; oil pump to check (recall on certain serial numbers).
Market prices
€27,500 – €55,000
Indicative range: 1997 to 2016, yearly medians of 158 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Oil pump gear bolt on the Td5
Severity 3/3 · SeriousOwners' forums describe the oil pump gear bolt that can work loose (fitted without thread-locker according to one of them), causing an oil pressure drop and, in the worst case, damaged bearings. The real frequency remains uncertain: one owner whose engine failed had the bolt properly tightened.
- Versions
- Td5 2.5 122 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Oil pump on the 2.2 TD
Severity 3/3 · SeriousThe PistonHeads guide notes that oil pump failure is not unknown on the 2.2; Au7o describes it as a risk of oil starvation and engine damage. A Land Rover recall covering a range of serial numbers is mentioned by owners: have the VIN checked at a dealership.
- Versions
- 2.2 TD Puma 122 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Chassis and bulkhead corrosion
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe AA cites corrosion of the chassis, bulkhead and door frames among the common faults of older Defenders. Au7o points to the areas most affected: the rear cross-member and spring mounts, as well as the bottom of the footwells and the bulkhead feet.
- Versions
- Td5 2.5 122 ch, 2.4 TD Puma 122 ch, 2.2 TD Puma 122 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Cylinder head gasket (stretch-bolt cylinder head bolts) on the Td5
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe Td5 cylinder head gasket is reported as a weak point: angle-tightened cylinder head bolts that lose their clamping force, leading to a leak into the coolant. A parts seller specifies that these bolts must not be reused. Earlier overheating may have warped the cylinder head.
- Versions
- Td5 2.5 122 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Td5 injector wiring harness contaminated with oil
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe AA cites the Td5 injector wiring among the common faults. AutoPartsPro describes oil contamination of the harness that can cause malfunctions; Auto Express also links running problems to a faulty injection harness or a faulty ECU connector.
- Versions
- Td5 2.5 122 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Land Rover Defender”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €300 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €48 |
| Maintenance | €39 |
| Depreciation | €369 |
| Total per month | €756 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (diesel)€300
2.2 TD Puma 122 ch version: combined consumption of 11.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
11.1 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €300
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€48
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€39
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€369
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Land Rover Defender I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the chassis, rear cross-member, spring mounts, bulkhead and door frames examined on a lift.
- Td5: look for signs of overheating, coolant loss, mayonnaise-like residue in the oil; ask for the cylinder head gasket invoice and new bolts.
- Td5: ask whether the oil pump gear bolt has been checked, and inspect the injector wiring connector for oil.
- 2.2 TD: have the serial number checked for the oil pump recall at a Land Rover dealership.
- Check for oil leaks, axles, transfer box and clutch condition on the test drive.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the chassis and bulkhead been repaired or treated? Do you have the invoices?
- Have the cylinder head gasket, oil pump or injector wiring harness already been redone?
- Has the oil pump recall (2.2) been carried out?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Dacia Duster
I · 2010–2017
- Price
- €5,990 – €10,720
- Reliability
- 2/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Suzuki Vitara
IV · since 2015
- Price
- €10,100 – €24,600
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Land Rover Defender I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Was the classic Land Rover Defender tested by Euro NCAP?
No: Carbuyer states that the original Defender was never tested by Euro NCAP and never received airbags or belt pretensioners as standard. The current Defender (2020) is a different model, rated 5 stars.
Which faults should you watch for on a Defender Td5?
Chassis and bulkhead corrosion, cylinder head gasket, oil pump and injector wiring harness (AA, Au7o, owners' forums).
What is the boot capacity of the Defender?
Parkers gives 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded for the 1990-2006 Defender 90. No figure with the seats in place was found, and the 110 has occasional side seats.
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