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A23 USA

1997 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Jun 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

161,069 mi
Last recorded161,069 miles
Recorded on10 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA23 USA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourRed
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 7 fail
Pass 10 Jun 2026 161,069 miles

Brake pedal travel

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bushes slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Handbrake travel getting high

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Hub seal slight leak

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Linkage bushes heavily perished/deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm and inner edge slight wear (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Linkage bushes heavily perished/deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Heavily inner edge. On limit. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Underside of chassis heavily corroded.

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 22 May 2025 159,823 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front air filter housing insecure

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 20 May 2025 159,821 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front air filter housing insecure

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 24 May 2024 158,853 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 15 May 2024 158,853 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt forward (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering column top bearing excessively worn very rough (2.2.2 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Offside Front steering damper bush excessively worn

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 4 May 2023 156,588 miles
Fail 28 Apr 2023 156,585 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively wiper motor not sweeping whole screen (3.4 (b) (ii))

Pass 16 Jan 2023 156,414 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 28 Dec 2022 156,414 miles

Nearside Front All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

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

Nearside Rear All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

Offside Front All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

Offside Rear All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jul 2021 155,351 miles

Nearside Front (Hub seal leaking)

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 5 Jul 2021 155,349 miles

Exhaust gas recirculation valve obviously modified (EGR valve present but has been blanked off) (8.2.2.1 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (All) (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front (Hub seal leaking)

Nearside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 6 Nov 2020 154,926 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside front axle oil seal slightly leaking

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material On caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside rear bump stop missing

Steering damper bush slightly worn

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 12 Oct 2018 152,200 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material To rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 25 Oct 2017 146,526 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2016 144,870 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2015 136,569 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2014 126,243 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2013 116,593 miles

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

brakes need a service

Fail 9 Apr 2013 116,593 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

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

Pass 31 Mar 2012 112,650 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

rear axle top ball joint slight play

Pass 2 Apr 2011 109,355 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2010 103,880 miles

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

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

Pass 17 Mar 2009 96,614 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2009 96,614 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Steering damper damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Pass 17 Dec 2007 89,806 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2006 81,839 miles

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

Pass 2 Dec 2005 76,515 miles

Offside Front Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

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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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A23 USA is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.5% with a typical mileage of 117,879 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 A23 USA, 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 29 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 A23 USA?

You can check the full history of A23 USA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A23 USA registered?

A23 USA is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 9 January 1997.

Is A23 USA safe to buy?

The MOT history for A23 USA shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A23 USA 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 A23 USA. 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.