Find Tyres for 1971-1985 Land Rover Defender

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about UK tyre fitment, MOT rules and seasonal options.

• What's different about the 1971-1985 Defender compared with other generations?

  This is the 1971-1985 generation of the Land Rover Defender. Earlier and later generations use different platforms, wheel sizes and tyre fitments, so always match your specific year to the correct generation page.

• What wet grip should I look for on the Land Rover Defender?

  For UK driving conditions, prioritise an EU tyre label wet-grip rating of A or B. Wet grip directly affects braking distance — the gap between A and E ratings can be more than a car length at 50 mph.

• Are all-season tyres suitable for the Land Rover Defender?

  All-season tyres carrying the 3PMSF snowflake symbol are a sensible choice for UK Land Rover Defender drivers who don't want to swap between summer and winter sets. Confirm the size and load rating match your OEM spec.

• Are tyres for the 1971-era Land Rover Defender still available?

  Yes — common sizes for the 1971-1985 Land Rover Defender remain in production from major UK brands. Some classic-specific sizes may need a specialist supplier, especially for limited or sport variants.

• What do star/OEM markings mean on Land Rover Defender tyres?

  Land Rover approves specific tyres for many of its models, marked with a star (BMW), MO (Mercedes), AO (Audi), J (Jaguar) or similar. OEM-marked tyres are tuned for that car's suspension and don't always come from the major brand-name fitter as a stock item — they may need to be ordered.