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B485 NLR

1985 Land Rover Defender

Brown Petrol 3528cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Sep 2026
Tests32 (17 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate53.1%

Mileage

139,383 mi
Last recorded139,383 miles
Recorded on28 Aug 2025
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB485 NLR
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourBrown
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,528cc

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

17 pass 15 fail
Pass 28 Aug 2025 139,383 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Front passenger door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 27 Aug 2025 139,379 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Front passenger door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 2 Sep 2024 136,838 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2023 86,129 miles

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Fail 23 Aug 2023 86,126 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Other passenger door catch insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Other passenger door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed (6.2.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Pass 26 Aug 2022 82,639 miles

Nearside Front Floor eroded

Nearside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Fail 23 Aug 2022 82,637 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Floor eroded

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Pass 24 Aug 2021 79,459 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Fail 23 Aug 2021 79,456 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Pass 24 Aug 2020 75,163 miles

Both rear interior wheel arches corroded

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

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

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

Oil leak noted

Power steering leak note

Fail 10 Aug 2020 75,163 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength under hockey stick (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front most bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength near brake pipe (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Both rear interior wheel arches corroded

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

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

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

Oil leak noted

Power steering leak note

Fail 18 Oct 2019 75,112 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength marked (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced out rigger (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength marked (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced A frame crossmember NS & OS (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front NS & OS tractor joint seals weaping

Nearside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases manifold & down pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Rear Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 13 Dec 2018 73,181 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

hazard lights not working

nearside rear inner wheel arch panel corroded

Fail 4 Dec 2018 73,151 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

hazard lights not working

nearside rear inner wheel arch panel corroded

Pass 11 Oct 2017 71,806 miles

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

offside front outrigger corroded

Fail 4 Oct 2017 71,790 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering chassis rail (6.1.A.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

offside front outrigger corroded

Pass 28 Sep 2016 69,195 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

service brake efficiency just passed

Fail 13 Sep 2016 69,174 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Tyre(s) incorrect because tyres with different structures are fitted across the same axle (4.1.A.2a)

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because tyres with different structures are fitted across the same axle (4.1.A.2a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

all four wheels badly corroded

nearside front out rigger badly corroded

Pass 19 May 2015 62,189 miles

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

front discs corroded

wheels slightly corroded

Fail 15 May 2015 62,189 miles

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

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

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

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

front discs corroded

wheels slightly corroded

Pass 1 May 2013 60,383 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2012 58,494 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2012 58,478 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front 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 Body has a projection caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.3.2d)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 24 Mar 2011 53,704 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2011 53,682 miles

Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

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

Pass 21 Jul 2009 51,692 miles
Fail 21 Jul 2009 51,672 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2008 50,066 miles
Pass 13 Jul 2007 47,641 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2007 47,621 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Fail 1 Jun 2006 44,674 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

all wheels corroded

near side + off side rear chassis outriggers corroded

Pass 1 Jun 2006 44,674 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

all wheels corroded

near side + off side rear chassis outriggers corroded

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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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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

B485 NLR is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Brown with a 3,528cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.1%.

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 B485 NLR, 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 B485 NLR?

You can check the full history of B485 NLR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B485 NLR registered?

B485 NLR is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 17 January 1985.

Is B485 NLR safe to buy?

The MOT history for B485 NLR shows 32 tests with a 53.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B485 NLR 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 B485 NLR. 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.