CarVerify
CarVerify
Sign in Check a vehicle

Free Car Check

B729 ESE

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2496cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Mar 2027
Tests17 (11 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate64.7%

Mileage

124,893 mi
Last recorded124,893 miles
Recorded on20 Mar 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationB729 ESE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc
View full Land Rover Defender reliability data Browse other 1985 Land Rover Defender registrations

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

11 pass 6 fail
Pass 20 Mar 2026 124,893 miles

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

Nearside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 29 Jan 2026 124,870 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Central Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor support bars (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 30 Jan 2025 124,801 miles

Central Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor support bars (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Front Lower Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security bulkhead (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security bulkhead (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

steering damper loose

Fail 30 Jan 2025 124,801 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Central Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor support bars (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Front Lower Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security bulkhead (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security bulkhead (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

steering damper loose

Pass 3 Jan 2024 122,531 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive coolant leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bulk head mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced battery tray (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bulkhead mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor brace (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 2 Jan 2024 122,522 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive coolant leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bulk head mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced battery tray (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bulkhead mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor brace (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 28 Dec 2022 116,534 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 22 Dec 2022 116,510 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2021 110,231 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively rear prop rear uj (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 19 Dec 2020 104,261 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2019 101,402 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2018 99,407 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2017 91,892 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2017 91,878 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Pass 8 May 2013 88,828 miles
Fail 3 May 2013 88,820 miles

Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Pass 2 Dec 2011 86,923 miles

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.

Get full report — £4.99 Single check — £9.99
£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

B729 ESE is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.7%.

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 B729 ESE, 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 B729 ESE?

You can check the full history of B729 ESE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B729 ESE registered?

B729 ESE is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 April 1985.

Is B729 ESE safe to buy?

The MOT history for B729 ESE shows 17 tests with a 64.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B729 ESE 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 B729 ESE. 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.