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A3 JRU

1997 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jan 2027
Tests18 (10 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

31,459 mi
Last recorded31,459 miles
Recorded on8 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Below or 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

RegistrationA3 JRU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourGrey
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

10 pass 8 fail
Pass 8 Jan 2026 31,459 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2014 30,962 miles

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 Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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)

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

Fail 7 Aug 2014 30,962 miles

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

Offside Rear Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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 Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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)

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

Pass 30 Jul 2013 30,189 miles

Centre Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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 Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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)

Pass 28 May 2012 27,723 miles

Centre Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

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

Fail 21 May 2012 27,723 miles

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

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

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

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Centre Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

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

brake fluid warning light on

Pass 2 Jun 2011 26,656 miles
Fail 27 May 2011 26,656 miles

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

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

Fail 15 Apr 2011 26,641 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Pass 13 Apr 2010 25,438 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Centre Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

Fail 12 Apr 2010 25,438 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b) DANGEROUS

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Centre Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

Pass 9 Apr 2009 23,693 miles
Fail 27 Mar 2009 23,692 miles

Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 9 Apr 2008 22,006 miles

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

Fail 20 Mar 2008 21,998 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Feb 2007 18,391 miles

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

steering damper bush has slight play

Pass 13 Feb 2006 13,179 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2006 13,066 miles

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

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

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)

Offside Front Brake pipe kinked (3.6.B.2b)

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

brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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A3 JRU is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 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 A3 JRU, 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 A3 JRU?

You can check the full history of A3 JRU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A3 JRU registered?

A3 JRU is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 29 October 1997.

Is A3 JRU safe to buy?

The MOT history for A3 JRU shows 18 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A3 JRU 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 A3 JRU. 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.