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A5 PLN

1998 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Aug 2026
Tests30 (21 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

135,593 mi
Last recorded135,593 miles
Recorded on12 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 Land Rover Defender110,057 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

RegistrationA5 PLN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1998
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc
View full Land Rover Defender reliability data Browse other 1998 Land Rover Defender registrations

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 9 fail
Pass 12 Aug 2025 135,593 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2024 132,634 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Aug 2023 129,407 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 27 Jul 2022 125,390 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 27 Jul 2021 120,917 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 (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 27 Jul 2021 120,917 miles

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

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

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

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

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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 (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Aug 2020 115,586 miles

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Fail 12 Aug 2020 115,586 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 15 Aug 2019 113,953 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spare tyre defective ()

Fail 14 Aug 2019 113,953 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spare tyre defective ()

Pass 21 Aug 2018 111,376 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 21 Aug 2018 111,375 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Pass 2 Aug 2017 106,659 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded 1 front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside swivel joint leaking

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

all tyres cracking in tread but no cords visible

Pass 3 Aug 2016 101,771 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 6 Aug 2015 96,851 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 6 Aug 2015 96,850 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 6 Aug 2014 92,505 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 6 Aug 2014 92,505 miles

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

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

Rear registration plate font not substantially similar to the prescribed font (6.3.4d)

Rear registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct width (6.3.4a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Aug 2013 88,106 miles

Centre Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Pass 10 Aug 2013 88,106 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Fail 13 Aug 2012 83,004 miles

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

Pass 13 Aug 2012 83,004 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2011 76,990 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 17 Aug 2011 76,990 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 10 Aug 2010 70,409 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Pass 4 Aug 2009 64,482 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Aug 2008 59,909 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2007 55,039 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2006 47,086 miles
Pass 15 Aug 2005 42,292 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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A5 PLN is a 1998 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

Across all 1998 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.3% with a typical mileage of 110,057 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 A5 PLN, 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 28 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 A5 PLN?

You can check the full history of A5 PLN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A5 PLN registered?

A5 PLN is a 1998 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is A5 PLN safe to buy?

The MOT history for A5 PLN shows 30 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A5 PLN 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 A5 PLN. 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.