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A161 FHN

1983 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Nov 2026
Tests36 (21 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

184,631 mi
Last recorded184,631 miles
Recorded on11 Nov 2025
Typical for 1983 Land Rover Defender109,986 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA161 FHN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1983
ColourWhite
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

21 pass 15 fail
Pass 11 Nov 2025 184,631 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Slightly corroded on inner faces (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front propshaft has play at transfer box output shaft

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced front end of chassis at front bumper mounting corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm rear bush slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside front flexible hose mounting on chassis corroded

Pass 11 Nov 2024 182,285 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A arm boot (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Nov 2023 178,814 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bumper mounting stub off front of chassis corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front inner wheel arch corroded but not affecting structural rigidity

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play axle a frame ball joint has very slight play and dust boot cover deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Steering box drop arm ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Nov 2022 175,539 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2022 175,539 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 26 Oct 2021 172,031 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Short end stub behind front bumper (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 12 Oct 2021 172,024 miles

Fuel tank leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Short end stub behind front bumper (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Pass 26 Oct 2020 168,930 miles

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively rear slide joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 26 Oct 2020 168,930 miles

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively rear slide joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 29 Oct 2019 166,066 miles

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Fail 23 Oct 2019 166,066 miles

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users fuel tank (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer chassis (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced rear cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 29 Oct 2018 162,744 miles

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 6 Nov 2017 159,343 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Fail 30 Oct 2017 159,340 miles

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

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded footwell and floor section (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded trailing arm area (2.4.A.3)

Offside Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded footwell (2.2.C.1h)

Battery insecure (1.9.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

Pass 26 Oct 2016 155,360 miles

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

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

Offside Front swivel housing leaking

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 21 Oct 2016 155,360 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

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

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

Offside Front swivel housing leaking

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

exhaust exit blowing straight onto rear brake flexi hose

Pass 30 Oct 2015 151,367 miles

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Front swivel leaking grease

Fail 29 Oct 2015 151,367 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Front swivel leaking grease

Pass 31 Oct 2014 147,107 miles
Fail 28 Oct 2014 147,107 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Nov 2013 142,639 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2013 142,639 miles

Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Pass 7 Nov 2012 137,357 miles

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

rear cross member in front of fuel tank corroded

tipper back hydraulic ram showing signs of leaking

Fail 5 Nov 2012 137,357 miles

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

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

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

battery box holed and corroded but holding battery securely at time of test

exhaust tail pipe broken off

rear cross member in front of fuel tank corroded

tipper back hydraulic ram showing signs of leaking

Pass 25 Oct 2011 132,304 miles
Fail 21 Oct 2011 132,304 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps operated by more than one switch (1.4.B.1c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 15 Oct 2010 127,392 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2010 127,392 miles

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 30 Oct 2009 123,336 miles
Fail 26 Oct 2009 123,336 miles

Nearside Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Registration plate lamp not fitted (1.1.C.1b)

Pass 31 Oct 2008 118,758 miles
Fail 31 Oct 2008 118,758 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 1 Nov 2007 114,048 miles
Pass 30 Oct 2006 108,732 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2005 103,065 miles
Fail 24 Oct 2005 103,058 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete (3.3.A.1b)

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

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

A161 FHN is a 1983 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 1983 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.8% with a typical mileage of 109,986 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 A161 FHN, 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 43 years old, this Land Rover Defender is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A161 FHN?

You can check the full history of A161 FHN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A161 FHN registered?

A161 FHN is a 1983 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 November 1983.

Is A161 FHN safe to buy?

The MOT history for A161 FHN shows 36 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A161 FHN 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 A161 FHN. 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.