Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Aos.1905, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Luxury 4x4 with a very good safety rating (5 stars at Euro NCAP in 2020), but its reliability is rated average to poor in the available data: the most cited faults are electrical and software-related, and the air suspension needs checking. A recall concerning the oil filter housing (fire risk) affected 2023-2024 Defenders: check recalls with the serial number.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €50,000 – €109,000
- Monthly cost
- €983
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: D250, P400.
D250
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 250 hp · 9.0 L/100 km · 236 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
3.0 six-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel, 8-speed automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive.
P300
Petrol · Automatic · 300 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 four-cylinder turbo petrol, automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive.
P400
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 400 hp · Crit'Air 1
3.0 six-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol, automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive.
P400e hybride rechargeable
Hybrid · Automatic · 404 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid with a 2.0 petrol engine and an electric motor (404 hp combined), about 43 km of electric range claimed on the WLTP cycle; 110 bodywork only.
Market prices
€50,000 – €109,000
Indicative range: 2020 to 2026, yearly medians of 645 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
Electrical and software faults (Pivi Pro)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingElectrical faults are the category most often reported on the Defender II (Warrantywise, Carchecker). The Pivi Pro infotainment system has had bugs: navigation errors, Bluetooth disconnections, CarPlay/Android Auto dropouts (Carchecker).
- Versions
- D250, P300, P400, P400e hybride rechargeable
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Air suspension (options and trims concerned)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingDefenders fitted with air suspension can develop faults after off-road use: mud and debris around the springs and height sensors cause incorrect readings (Au7o, Carchecker). The AA recommends checking the air suspension when buying a used car.
- Versions
- D250, P300, P400, P400e hybride rechargeable
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Recall: cracked oil filter housing (fire risk)
Manufacturer recallRecall campaign covering 2023-2024 Defenders: the oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine bay, with a risk of fire on contact with hot parts. The housing, filter and seals are replaced free of charge at a dealership (NHTSA, campaign N908). Check the serial number.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- D250, P300, P400, P400e hybride rechargeable
- 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 | €243 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €72 |
| Maintenance | €39 |
| Depreciation | €629 |
| Total per month | €983 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- Insurance: brand average, as no average is published for this model.
- 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)€243
D250 version: combined consumption of 9 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
9 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €243
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€72
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€629
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Land Rover Defender II (L663) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check with the serial number at a Land Rover dealership that all recalls and technical bulletins have been carried out (oil filter housing in particular).
- Test the air suspension: height changes, no error message, vehicle level when stationary.
- Try the Pivi Pro system: navigation, Bluetooth, CarPlay/Android Auto, reversing camera, instrument cluster brightness.
- Check the windscreen (cracks, reported on several model years) and for oil leaks under the engine.
- Ask for the complete service history and an inspection by a Land Rover specialist.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have all recalls (oil filter housing, etc.) been carried out? Do you have proof from the dealer network?
- Has the car been used off-road, and has the air suspension been repaired?
- Has a coding box or electronic modification been installed?
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: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
BMW X3
III (G01) · 2017–2024
- Price
- €17,245 – €45,480
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Touareg
III · since 2018
- Price
- €33,200 – €88,400
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Diesel, Hybrid
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Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Kia Sorento
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €32,985 – €50,440
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- 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 II (L663) (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
Is the Land Rover Defender (2020) reliable?
The data is rather unfavourable: Warrantywise ranks the Defender 110 among the less reliable models in its 2026 index (28/100), with electrical faults at the top. This index is used to sell warranties and should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Is the Defender II safe?
The Defender 110 scored 5 stars at Euro NCAP in December 2020 (85% adults, 85% children, 71% pedestrians, 79% driver assistance); Euro NCAP did, however, penalise its aggressivity towards the other vehicle in the frontal impact.
What is the boot capacity of the Defender 110?
Figures vary by source: a test by RPM Web records 972 litres (1,875 litres with the rear bench folded) for a 110 P400 SE; check the configuration of the car.
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