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A12 SHO

1996 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Apr 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

227,126 mi
Last recorded227,126 miles
Recorded on1 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Land Rover Defender122,435 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA12 SHO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 1 May 2026 227,126 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

both front wheel bearings have slight play

many parts of structure and suspension corroded

oil leaks

rear exhaust corroded

some metal brake pipes corroded

Pass 22 Apr 2025 225,089 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

many parts of structure and suspension corroded

rear axle top mount ball joint worn

rear exhaust section corroded and holed

Fail 22 Apr 2025 225,088 miles

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

many parts of structure and suspension corroded

rear axle top mount ball joint worn

rear exhaust section corroded and holed

Pass 19 Apr 2024 222,342 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

headlamp main/dip switch faulty but working

many parts of structure and some parts of suspension corroded

oil leaks

Pass 5 Apr 2023 220,179 miles

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

headlamp switch faulty but working

many parts of structure corroded

oil leaks

some metal brake pipes surface rusted

Pass 1 Apr 2022 216,814 miles

main beam switch faulty but working

many parts of structure and suspension items corroded

oil leaks

some metal brake pipes surface rusted

Fail 30 Mar 2022 216,813 miles

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

main beam switch faulty but working

many parts of structure and suspension items corroded

oil leaks

some metal brake pipes surface rusted

Pass 29 Apr 2021 214,506 miles

All road springs corroded

headlamp main beam switch worn but working

many parts of vehicle structure and other parts corroded

slight play in all 4 wheel bearings

Fail 27 Apr 2021 214,503 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bushes where bolted to front beam x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bushes where bolted to front beam x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Rear Inner Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

All road springs corroded

headlamp main beam switch worn but working

many parts of vehicle structure and other parts corroded

slight play in all 4 wheel bearings

Pass 26 Apr 2019 211,476 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

many parts of structure corroded

oil leaks

travel in handbrake

Fail 24 Apr 2019 211,475 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn both bushes on link bar (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn both bushes on linkbar (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

many parts of structure corroded

oil leaks

travel in handbrake

Pass 16 Apr 2018 210,573 miles

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

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

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

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

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

many parts of structure starting to corrode

oil leaks

rear uj badly worn

Fail 16 Apr 2018 210,572 miles

Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

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

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

many parts of structure starting to corrode

oil leaks

rear uj badly worn

Pass 11 Apr 2017 209,446 miles

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

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

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

some metal brake pipes surface rusted

Pass 26 Apr 2016 207,199 miles

slight play in o/s/f wheel bearing

Fail 25 Apr 2016 207,198 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases manifold area (7.1.2)

oil leaks

slight play in o/s/f wheel bearing

Pass 23 Apr 2015 206,056 miles

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

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

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

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

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

many parts of structure at earlier stages of corrosion

oil leaks

Fail 22 Apr 2015 206,054 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

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

many parts of structure at earlier stages of corrosion

oil leaks

slight exhaust blow around manifold area

Pass 3 Apr 2014 205,104 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

many parts of structure starting to corrode

slight play in both front wheel bearings

various oil leaks

Fail 2 Apr 2014 205,103 miles

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

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

Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

many parts of structure starting to corrode

slight play in both front wheel bearings

various oil leaks

Pass 2 May 2013 204,155 miles

n/s/f and o/s/f headlamps dim.

n/s/f tyre starting to crack.

Fail 30 Apr 2013 204,153 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Centre Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

n/s/f and o/s/f headlamps dim.

n/s/f tyre starting to crack.

Pass 10 Apr 2012 203,395 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 5 Apr 2012 203,394 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 21 Jun 2011 202,783 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 16 Jun 2010 201,678 miles

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 7 Apr 2009 200,115 miles

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

Pass 16 May 2008 198,900 miles

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

slight play in both front swivel hubs

Pass 27 Apr 2007 197,919 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2006 196,173 miles

same advise items as original test: †542133306199

Fail 13 Apr 2006 196,162 miles

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

Driver's door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Obligatory mirror not clearly visible from the drivers seat or incapable of being adjusted to be clearly visible from the driver's seat (8.1.1d)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

body attachments unacessible for inspection

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.

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A12 SHO is a 1996 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1996 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.0% with a typical mileage of 122,435 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 A12 SHO, 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 30 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A12 SHO?

You can check the full history of A12 SHO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A12 SHO registered?

A12 SHO is a 1996 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is A12 SHO safe to buy?

The MOT history for A12 SHO shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A12 SHO 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 A12 SHO. 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.