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A398 XNH

1984 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 Oct 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

237,710 mi
Last recorded237,710 miles
Recorded on21 Oct 2025
Typical for 1984 Land Rover Defender119,280 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA398 XNH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1984
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 12 fail
Pass 21 Oct 2025 237,710 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

all seats deteriorating

exhaust tail pipe missing

Fail 15 Oct 2025 237,629 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Central Front Seat belt missing (7.1.2 (a))

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

all seats deteriorating

exhaust tail pipe missing

Pass 22 Oct 2024 230,016 miles

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security just in front of rear axle (6.2.2 (d) (i))

all seats deteriorating

Fail 22 Oct 2024 230,016 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security just in front of rear axle (6.2.2 (d) (i))

all seats deteriorating

Pass 1 Nov 2023 224,491 miles

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

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

slght weep from rear of fuel pump

Fail 18 Oct 2023 224,459 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Front Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting on crosss member (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting center out rigger and fixing (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting next to rear tie rod mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting center out rigger and fixing point (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

limited reserve travel on hand brake

Pass 31 Oct 2022 219,003 miles

Nearside Rear inner end of cross member corroded

Nearside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside centre out rigger corroded

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

Offside centre out rigger corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive 60mm circle after 5 minites (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 19 Oct 2022 219,000 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn front bush on lower tie rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear inner end of cross member corroded

Nearside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside centre out rigger corroded

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

Offside centre out rigger corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive 60mm circle after 5 minites (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Oct 2021 212,591 miles

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

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))

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

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

gearbox cross member corroding

Fail 13 Oct 2021 212,486 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

gearbox cross member corroding

Pass 8 Oct 2020 205,775 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear fog lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light over 50% of lamp still showing light (4.5.1 (b) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

slightly long pedal travel

Fail 25 Sep 2020 205,593 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn swivel hub (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (3.3 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear fog lamp lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected white light (4.5.1 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

slightly long pedal travel

Pass 10 Apr 2019 194,704 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Mar 2019 194,220 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Body component insecure (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Offside Front Tyre(s) with different structures are fitted across the same axle (5.2.3 (c))

Offside Rear Body component insecure (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 5 Apr 2018 185,743 miles

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

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 22 Mar 2018 185,180 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively X2 (8.2.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear reflector excessively damaged so that its function is impaired (1.5.1c)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

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

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 3 Apr 2017 175,309 miles

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

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 29 Mar 2016 167,248 miles

slightly long pedal travel

Pass 20 Mar 2015 160,720 miles

Offside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Oil leak

Pass 24 Mar 2014 154,292 miles

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

Fail 12 Mar 2014 154,006 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Apr 2013 149,670 miles

Non obligatory mirror damaged

Oil leak

Fail 26 Mar 2013 149,615 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

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

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Service brake is causing the steering wheel to severely pull one way (3.7.C.2)

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

Offside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Pass 30 Mar 2012 145,035 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2012 145,010 miles

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 16 Mar 2011 141,360 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

off side drag link end rubber split

Pass 22 Mar 2010 136,797 miles

off side drag link end cover split

Pass 2 Apr 2009 132,495 miles

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

off side drag link end dust cover split

Fail 2 Apr 2009 132,495 miles

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

off side drag link end dust cover split

Pass 2 Apr 2008 128,156 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2007 123,546 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2006 119,093 miles

Nearside Front Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

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

A398 XNH is a 1984 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 1984 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.4% with a typical mileage of 119,280 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 A398 XNH, 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 42 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 A398 XNH?

You can check the full history of A398 XNH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A398 XNH registered?

A398 XNH is a 1984 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 17 April 1984.

Is A398 XNH safe to buy?

The MOT history for A398 XNH shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A398 XNH 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 A398 XNH. 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.