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78 ED

2009 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2395cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests22 (13 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate59.1%

Mileage

139,762 mi
Last recorded139,762 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 2009 Land Rover Defender60,456 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

Registration78 ED
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2009
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,395cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

13 pass 9 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 139,762 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 8 Nov 2024 132,710 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 14 Nov 2023 125,620 miles
Pass 10 Nov 2022 116,482 miles

Nearside Rear Body panel slightly loose wing wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Body panel slightly loose wing wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Rear Towbar component corroded, but not excessively bumper panel (6.1.6 (a))

corrosion through out underside

Fail 2 Nov 2022 116,481 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Steering locking device ineffective steering arm lock nut loose (2.1.3 (d))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment (2.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering linkage likely to become detached steering damper excessively worn bush (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Body panel slightly loose wing wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Body panel slightly loose wing wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Towbar component corroded, but not excessively bumper panel (6.1.6 (a))

corrosion through out underside

Pass 5 Nov 2021 109,127 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2019 107,243 miles

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint has slight play play on drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear disc back plate missing

Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush play on both top bushes (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 12 Apr 2019 107,241 miles

Nearside Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside pulls to nearside when service brake applied (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) lower steering u/j excessive play at steering box end (2.3 (a) (i))

Rear Prop shaft bearing likely to break up rear u/j badly worn , bearings breaking up (6.1.7 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play shock bush on drag link end (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint has slight play play on drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear disc back plate missing

Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush play on both top bushes (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 10 Apr 2018 103,178 miles

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering box arm ball joint dust cover (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Oil leak minor engine oil leak ()

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel steering box has slight play (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 3 Apr 2018 103,177 miles

Driver's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering box arm ball joint dust cover (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Oil leak minor engine oil leak ()

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel steering box has slight play (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 21 Mar 2017 97,556 miles

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering box arm ball joint (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear body panel support bracket broken

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 21 Mar 2017 97,555 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside (3.7.C.2)

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering box arm ball joint (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear body panel support bracket broken

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 31 Mar 2016 89,515 miles

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.3.3b)

o/s/f hub seal leaking

Fail 29 Mar 2016 89,512 miles

Brake pedal has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Front Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.3.3b)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

o/s/f hub seal leaking

Fail 2 Apr 2015 77,974 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

o/s/f bumper bamage

o/s/r rear body damage

Pass 2 Apr 2015 77,974 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

o/s/f bumper bamage

o/s/r rear body damage

Pass 4 Apr 2014 69,130 miles

Gearbox mounting defective

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 25 Mar 2014 69,128 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Gearbox mounting defective

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 20 Mar 2013 64,027 miles

Offside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 18 Mar 2013 64,027 miles

Centre Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Lower Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Lower Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

oil leaking from n/s front swivel housing

Pass 22 Mar 2012 58,149 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2012 58,147 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

NS/F swivel joint has slight leak.

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

OS/F swivel joint has a slight leak.

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

78 ED is a 2009 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,395cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.1%.

Across all 2009 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.9% with a typical mileage of 60,456 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying 78 ED, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 17 years old, this Land Rover Defender is still in the earlier part of its expected life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 78 ED?

You can check the full history of 78 ED by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 78 ED registered?

78 ED is a 2009 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 March 2009.

Is 78 ED safe to buy?

The MOT history for 78 ED shows 22 tests with a 59.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 78 ED have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on 78 ED. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.