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A496 SBD

1983 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires16 Feb 2026
Tests25 (18 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate72%

Mileage

325,515 mi
Last recorded325,515 miles
Recorded on17 Feb 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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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA496 SBD
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1983
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

18 pass 7 fail
Pass 17 Feb 2025 325,515 miles

Front swivel seals weaping

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

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

Pass 21 Apr 2023 346,295 miles
Fail 18 Oct 2022 346,295 miles

Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel parking brake on stops (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high ADJUSTER NOT WORKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis holed multiple places by trailing arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength holed multiple places by shock mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outrigger holed multiple places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front floor holed

Offside Front floor rusty

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil all rear shocks damp and replacement advised (5.3.2 (b))

both front hub seals damp

exhaust fouling chassis

front diff leaking

hazzard switch faulty=cover missing

oil leaking from fuel pump on block

rear crossmember holed rusty and weak

rear floor support totaly rusted away

reverse lamp damaged

Pass 20 Oct 2021 342,592 miles

Nearside Front floor rusty

Rear diff input seal leaking

Rear floor supports very rusty

play in steering wheel to column

rear exhaust fouling on chassis

Fail 11 Oct 2021 342,378 miles

Fuel system component leaking fuel dripping fom behind tank cover--also pipes into tank wet (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front floor rusty

Rear diff input seal leaking

Rear floor supports very rusty

play in steering wheel to column

rear exhaust fouling on chassis

Pass 28 Sep 2020 329,709 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement panhard rod bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Wheel bearing has slight play all (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Apr 2019 310,599 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2019 310,599 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Towbar has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Steering column top bearing excessively worn (2.2.2 (b))

Offside Front Upper Axle swivel joint insecure in a stub axle (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Upper Steering column universal joint insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 Apr 2018 297,194 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

Offside Rear by tank rusty

Pass 11 Apr 2017 282,658 miles

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

Offside cross member rusty by fuel tank

Rear prop shaft rear joint worn

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

handbrake just passable-adjustment required

slight play both front hubs

slight travel on foot brake

Pass 8 Apr 2016 266,562 miles

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

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

Nearside wiper-splits on ends

a-frame ball joint dust cover deteriorated

oil leak on f/diff

Pass 10 Apr 2015 249,601 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 26 Mar 2015 249,559 miles

Front Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

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

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 31 Mar 2014 237,136 miles

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

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

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

Fail 26 Mar 2014 237,136 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 10 Apr 2013 229,045 miles
Fail 5 Apr 2013 228,946 miles

Headlamp switch insecure (1.7.1)

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching badly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Pass 13 Apr 2012 217,474 miles

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

O/S/F seat belt has webbing protector pad sewn in, unable to ascess condition.

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Pass 12 Apr 2011 207,025 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2009 205,273 miles
Fail 18 Jun 2009 205,228 miles

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

Nearside Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

Pass 27 Jun 2008 200,752 miles

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

Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

Pass 26 Jun 2007 195,364 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2006 189,576 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2005 181,894 miles

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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A496 SBD is a 1983 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72%.

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 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 A496 SBD, 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 A496 SBD?

You can check the full history of A496 SBD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A496 SBD registered?

A496 SBD is a 1983 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 5 September 1983.

Is A496 SBD safe to buy?

The MOT history for A496 SBD shows 25 tests with a 72% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A496 SBD 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 A496 SBD. 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.