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B511 TCJ

1985 Land Rover Defender

Silver Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Jul 2027
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

32,078 mi
Last recorded32,078 miles
Recorded on16 Jul 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB511 TCJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
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

18 pass 9 fail
Pass 16 Jul 2026 32,078 miles
Pass 24 Jul 2025 30,541 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2024 24,821 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2023 20,622 miles
Pass 24 May 2022 15,972 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2021 5,217 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2020 167,264 miles
Fail 13 Mar 2020 167,264 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Feb 2019 158,779 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2019 158,779 miles

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

Fail 21 Dec 2018 158,736 miles

Central Front Obligatory mirror missing interior mirror missing. (3.3 (a))

Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (4.1.3 (b))

Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (4.1.3 (b))

Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced To back as marked various places X 8.Places. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick x 4 (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired King pin, swivel. (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached As Marked. (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A Frame ball joint as marked. (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 5 Jan 2018 155,441 miles

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel Drop arm ball joint. (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 21 Aug 2014 155,441 miles
Fail 7 Aug 2014 155,441 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Centre Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2013 142,764 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Fail 6 Mar 2013 155,376 miles

Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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)

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

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.2.B.1a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 8 Mar 2012 153,969 miles

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

different wheels fitted at time of test

Fail 6 Mar 2012 153,969 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

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

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

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

Pass 26 Feb 2011 151,168 miles

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

Nearside Front Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 19 Feb 2010 142,789 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2010 142,773 miles

Centre Rear Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a ball joint (2.5.A.3b)

Centre Service brake juddering severely (3.7.C.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Pass 5 May 2009 131,903 miles

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

Pass 6 May 2008 131,450 miles
Fail 2 May 2008 131,450 miles

Centre Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 May 2007 129,734 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2005 126,677 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2005 126,677 miles

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

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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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B511 TCJ is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Silver with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 B511 TCJ, 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 B511 TCJ?

You can check the full history of B511 TCJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B511 TCJ registered?

B511 TCJ is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 January 1985.

Is B511 TCJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for B511 TCJ shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B511 TCJ 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 B511 TCJ. 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.