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AB05 COW

2005 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Dec 2026
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

127,860 mi
Last recorded127,860 miles
Recorded on12 Dec 2025
Typical for 2005 Land Rover Defender76,444 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAB05 COW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2005
ColourGreen
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 11 fail
Pass 12 Dec 2025 127,860 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Pass 19 Dec 2024 125,390 miles

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

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

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

Fail 5 Dec 2024 125,350 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 15 Dec 2023 122,447 miles

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both rear perished and slightly out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 23 Nov 2023 122,381 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn both D-bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play Intermediate drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear perished and slightly out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 16 Nov 2022 119,928 miles

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

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

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 23 Nov 2021 117,511 miles

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 23 Nov 2021 117,511 miles

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 26 Nov 2020 115,344 miles

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

Pass 5 Dec 2019 113,407 miles

Nearside Front Tyre 4mm + out of shape

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm + out of shape (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 2 Dec 2019 113,405 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre 4mm + out of shape

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm + out of shape (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 27 Nov 2018 11,134 miles
Fail 20 Nov 2018 11,133 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded leading to flexy hose (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Track rod end ball joint has excessive play drag link (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded Both front to rear leading to flexy hose (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear on chassis inner at rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded leading to flexy (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Track rod end ball joint has excessive play drag link (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Brake pipe slightly damaged front to rear on top of chassis rail offside (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 1 Dec 2017 109,432 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded To flexi hose (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly out of shape and has a cut but not deep enough to expose cords

Pass 28 Nov 2016 107,688 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2016 107,688 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working both (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 27 Nov 2015 105,215 miles

engine oil leak

rear diff oil leak

slight play in front wheel bearings

Pass 1 Dec 2014 102,908 miles
Fail 27 Nov 2014 102,908 miles

Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 5 Dec 2013 99,949 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Dec 2013 99,949 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 29 May 2012 77,244 miles

Oil leak

clutch pedal rubber worn

Fail 28 May 2012 77,235 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Oil leak

clutch pedal rubber worn

park switch not working on wipers

Pass 10 Jun 2011 68,151 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2011 68,151 miles

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 11 Jun 2010 58,719 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2009 48,302 miles

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

o/s/f axle hub damp

rear axle stabilizer top joint slight play

Fail 10 Jun 2009 48,302 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

o/s/f axle hub damp

rear axle stabilizer top joint slight play

Pass 6 Jun 2008 38,062 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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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AB05 COW is a 2005 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

Across all 2005 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.3% with a typical mileage of 76,444 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 AB05 COW, 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 21 years old, this Land Rover Defender is still in the earlier part of its expected life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AB05 COW?

You can check the full history of AB05 COW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AB05 COW registered?

AB05 COW is a 2005 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 26 April 2005.

Is AB05 COW safe to buy?

The MOT history for AB05 COW shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AB05 COW 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 AB05 COW. 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.