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AX04 VXL

2004 Land Rover Defender

Silver Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Nov 2026
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

255,331 mi
Last recorded255,331 miles
Recorded on14 Nov 2025
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAX04 VXL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2004
ColourSilver
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

19 pass 15 fail
Pass 14 Nov 2025 255,331 miles

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Nov 2025 255,327 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Nov 2024 245,478 miles

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Fail 13 Nov 2024 245,474 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 22 Nov 2023 233,448 miles

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

Pass 24 Nov 2022 221,065 miles

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

Pass 26 Nov 2021 215,401 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

Fail 26 Nov 2021 215,378 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush so worn or insecure that directional stability is impaired (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Nov 2020 196,258 miles

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

Fail 24 Nov 2020 196,015 miles

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired very bad (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 18 Jul 2019 177,739 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (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))

front hub seals leaking slightly

Fail 11 Jul 2019 177,292 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Front Swivel seal small leak

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

Offside Front Swivel seal small leak

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (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))

Pass 11 Jul 2018 163,575 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Slight play in nearside rear wheel bearing

signs of a engine oil leak

Pass 18 Jul 2017 153,360 miles

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

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

slight oil leak rear of transmision

Pass 4 Jul 2016 143,627 miles

Drop arm ball joint to steering box has slight play

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside front tyre worn on inner edge

engine oil leak

rear pinion seal leaking

Fail 27 Jun 2016 143,627 miles

Nearside Rear reflector insecure (1.5.1a)

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

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 Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Drop arm ball joint to steering box has slight play

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside front tyre worn on inner edge

engine oil leak

rear pinion seal leaking

rear propshaft front uj insecure

Pass 16 Jul 2015 132,347 miles

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

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

center stop light not working

oil leak rear differential

windscreen wipers not parking automatically

Fail 13 Jul 2015 132,347 miles

Centre Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Parking brake lever releases when knocked (3.1.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

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

oil leak rear differential

windscreen wipers not parking automatically

Pass 14 Jul 2014 60,313 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Fail 11 Jul 2014 60,313 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside (3.7.C.2) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Pass 3 Apr 2013 100,711 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

both rear top and bottom shock bushes slightly worn

engine oil leak

front and rear prop seals leaking

Fail 28 Mar 2013 100,711 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

both rear top and bottom shock bushes slightly worn

engine oil leak

front and rear prop seals leaking

Pass 24 Jan 2012 85,587 miles
Fail 24 Jan 2012 85,587 miles

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Pass 31 Jan 2011 83,228 miles

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

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

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

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

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

front brake discs worn

front registration plate slightly damaged

Fail 31 Jan 2011 83,228 miles

Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

front brake discs worn

Pass 18 Feb 2010 80,125 miles

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

front number plate deteriorated

Fail 12 Feb 2010 80,121 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

front number plate deteriorated

Pass 12 Mar 2009 74,860 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2009 74,860 miles

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Fail 28 Apr 2008 60,443 miles

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

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) fouling other parts of the vehicle (2.3.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

clutch pedal anti-slip provision missing

Pass 28 Apr 2008 60,443 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

clutch pedal anti-slip provision missing

Pass 1 Jun 2007 45,141 miles
Fail 29 May 2007 45,141 miles

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Both front hub seals weeping fluid

Brake pedal anti-slip provision slightly deteriorated

Nail in offside front tyre

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)

Tow bar support bracket bolts loose

clutch pedal anti-slip provision missing

Steering idler damper rubber bush deteriorated and not servicable

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.

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AX04 VXL is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Silver with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

Across all 2004 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.0% with a typical mileage of 81,117 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 AX04 VXL, 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 22 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 AX04 VXL?

You can check the full history of AX04 VXL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AX04 VXL registered?

AX04 VXL is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 July 2004.

Is AX04 VXL safe to buy?

The MOT history for AX04 VXL shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AX04 VXL 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 AX04 VXL. 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.