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B242 JAO

1985 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Aug 2026
Tests22 (15 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate68.2%

Mileage

157,907 mi
Last recorded157,907 miles
Recorded on13 Aug 2025
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationB242 JAO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

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

15 pass 7 fail
Pass 13 Aug 2025 157,907 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Jan 2023 157,847 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Floor excessively deteriorated battery box (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis too front cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced coil spring mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated drivers footwell (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inside and outside chassis member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering coil spring and brake pipe (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering coil spring mount and brake pipe. (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front passengers floor corroded.

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front too rear brake pipe connection joint (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (4.4.4 (a))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced coil spring mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive all 4 (5.3.6 (a) (i))

both front hubs damp

hazards not working

parking brake little reserve travel

Pass 4 Dec 2020 156,014 miles
Fail 1 Dec 2020 156,014 miles

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

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 22 Nov 2019 155,568 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Nov 2019 155,568 miles

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Sep 2018 151,080 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive power steering pipes (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 11 Sep 2017 145,454 miles

oil leak

rear brake pipe corroded

Fail 11 Sep 2017 145,454 miles

Nearside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

oil leak

rear brake pipe corroded

Pass 18 Aug 2016 143,968 miles

brake pipes slightly corroded

o/s track rod end dust cover cracking

slight play n/s/f wheel bearing

truck a bit dirty underside

Fail 18 Aug 2016 143,968 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

brake pipes slightly corroded

o/s track rod end dust cover cracking

slight play n/s/f wheel bearing

truck a bit dirty underside

Pass 20 Aug 2015 142,407 miles

front cv joints weeping

n/s/f tyre wearing on edge

slight play n/s/f wheel bearing

various corrosion under car

Pass 14 Aug 2014 141,260 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2013 137,400 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2012 132,327 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2011 127,640 miles
Pass 5 Feb 2010 124,897 miles
Pass 12 Feb 2009 123,260 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2008 119,812 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2008 119,794 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing (7.2.4c)

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

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

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

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

o/s/f tyre

Pass 21 Apr 2006 118,613 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2006 118,613 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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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B242 JAO is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.2%.

Across all 1985 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.3% with a typical mileage of 122,807 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 B242 JAO, 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 41 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 B242 JAO?

You can check the full history of B242 JAO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B242 JAO registered?

B242 JAO is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 January 1985.

Is B242 JAO safe to buy?

The MOT history for B242 JAO shows 22 tests with a 68.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B242 JAO 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 B242 JAO. 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.