This paper provides FE and experimental validation of the defect assessment method for strength mismatched welded structures, resulting from the Brite Euram SINTAP (Structural Integrity Assessment Procedures for European Industry) project. This shows that the proposed method is conservative, and that the degree of conservatism is similar to that embedded in the methods for homogeneous structures. It provides confidence in the use of the proposed SINTAP method for assessing defective weld strength mismatched structures.