Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the Netherlands
126 first registered in 2004 are on Dutch roads; 60% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €46,350.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen82
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde70
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld48
- Gordel beschadigd33
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast30
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af29
- Waarschuwingsinrichting antiblokkeersysteem geeft defect aan27
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht24
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,270 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 208 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 4,209 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 65% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.1% | 21.8% |
| Brakes | 10.9% | 13.8% |
| Suspension | 10.8% | 17.2% |
| Steering | 10.0% | 4.5% |
| Visibility | 7.7% | 7.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.7% | 9.1% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
30 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 17% arrived as used imports, 70% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2004 Land Rover Defender.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Land Rover told its dealers about the 2004 Land Rover Defender: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10206635 | Software Update. |
| 10125267 | Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)