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B23 MWL

1989 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Aug 2027
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

137,407 mi
Last recorded137,407 miles
Recorded on17 Aug 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB23 MWL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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 12 fail
Pass 17 Aug 2026 137,407 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2026 137,406 miles

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Aug 2025 134,592 miles

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

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

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

Fail 19 Aug 2025 134,592 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested Due to leak (1.2.1 (g))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.12 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2024 132,576 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Rear diff pinion seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 23 Aug 2023 129,964 miles

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

Fail 14 Apr 2023 129,941 miles

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users fuel (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower bulk head corroded

Nearside Front slight oil leak on swivel

Offside Front Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Mar 2022 129,007 miles

under body corroded

Fail 17 Mar 2022 129,000 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Body mounting fixings insecure step (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which shows white light to the rear (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

under body corroded

Pass 10 Dec 2020 127,892 miles
Pass 14 Dec 2019 127,063 miles

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

Pass 1 Dec 2018 125,938 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2017 125,794 miles
Fail 24 Nov 2017 125,794 miles

Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot(s) or their associated mountings locking device insecure (3.1.4b)

Pass 12 Nov 2016 124,485 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2015 123,016 miles

Oil leak

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

Pass 22 Nov 2014 120,844 miles

Oil leak

Pass 16 Sep 2013 117,081 miles

Drivers seat belt poor condition. frsyed/damaged

Exhaust system not fully secure. makeshift brackets used and centre mounting missing

Front hub seals leaking

Handbrake warning light inop

Oil leaks

Fail 12 Sep 2013 117,042 miles

Drag link end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Drivers seat belt poor condition. frsyed/damaged

Exhaust system not fully secure. makeshift brackets used and centre mounting missing

Front hub seals leaking

Handbrake warning light inop

Oil leaks

Pass 13 Sep 2012 109,847 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2012 109,835 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2) DANGEROUS

O/s rear brake binding slightly

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

Vehicle body generally poor condition on floor/wheel arches

Pass 11 Dec 2009 108,072 miles
Fail 14 May 2009 107,742 miles

Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Brake vacuum pipe slightly chafed (3.6.C.1b)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

holes in front floors

o/s/f bumpstop missing

o/s/f wiper poor

slight dampness on steering box

slight wear in drop arm ball joint and t/r/e's

vehicle chassis in very poor condition due to numerous other areas of corrosion

Pass 19 Feb 2008 105,395 miles

Chassis heavily corroded & many welded patches evident

F number plate in poor condition

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Slight leak from steering box

Rear crossmember corroded at tow bar mounting point

Fail 15 Feb 2008 102,562 miles

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

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch missing (1.4.B.1d)

Fail 17 Jan 2008 105,393 miles

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

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Chassis heavily corroded & many welded patches evident

F number plate in poor condition

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Slight leak from steering box

R crossmember corroded at tow bar mounting point

Pass 11 Dec 2006 102,270 miles

slight leak from steering box

slight oil leak from steering damper

slight play from n/s/r wheel bearing

Fail 8 Dec 2006 102,270 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Front Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 23 Dec 2005 99,676 miles
Fail 19 Dec 2005 99,676 miles

Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

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

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

Nearside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

chassis corroded in numerous areas

n/s screen wash poor

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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B23 MWL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1989 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 127,912 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 B23 MWL, 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 37 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 B23 MWL?

You can check the full history of B23 MWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B23 MWL registered?

B23 MWL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is B23 MWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for B23 MWL shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B23 MWL 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 B23 MWL. 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.