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BD51 NLR

2001 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Mar 2027
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

247,267 mi
Last recorded247,267 miles
Recorded on7 Mar 2026
Typical for 2001 Land Rover Defender94,644 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBD51 NLR
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2001
ColourBlack
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 7 Mar 2026 247,267 miles

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis / suspension area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2024 243,156 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2023 233,905 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2022 229,854 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2022 229,849 miles

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

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

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering Centre (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering Centre (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 25 Jun 2022 229,830 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch (5.2.3 (f))

Nearside Rear Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch (5.2.3 (f))

Offside Front Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch (5.2.3 (f))

Offside Rear Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch (5.2.3 (f))

Pass 24 Feb 2021 223,670 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch all ()

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

park brake lever has little reserve travel

Fail 15 Feb 2021 223,665 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged front to rear (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen recheck wiper (3.5 (a))

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements (4.2.2 (a))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn rear U/J (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch all ()

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Feb 2020 216,087 miles

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

Pass 7 Feb 2019 209,367 miles

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

Pass 10 Mar 2018 203,735 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2018 203,735 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 6 Jan 2017 202,320 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed Slight play (6.2.B.2)

Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Front Both swivel joints slight leak.

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Front passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 4 Jan 2017 202,315 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed Slight play (6.2.B.2)

Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Front Both swivel joints slight leak.

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Front passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 5 Oct 2015 190,112 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2014 184,968 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

both front swivel joints are slightly leaking

Fail 22 Jul 2014 184,968 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

both front swivel joints are slightly leaking

Pass 22 Oct 2013 177,573 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

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

Fail 16 Oct 2013 177,573 miles

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear Upper Trailing arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Inner Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

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

Pass 4 Oct 2012 165,178 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 27 Sep 2012 165,178 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 13 Oct 2011 155,654 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2010 144,914 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2009 13,569 miles

Rear U/J joint slight wear. O.K at time of test.

Fail 25 Sep 2009 135,672 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Rear U/J joint slight wear. O.K at time of test.

Pass 6 Oct 2008 128,348 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2007 115,557 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2007 115,557 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Fail 4 Oct 2006 98,137 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Pass 4 Oct 2006 98,137 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

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BD51 NLR is a 2001 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 2001 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.0% with a typical mileage of 94,644 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 BD51 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 25 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of BD51 NLR?

You can check the full history of BD51 NLR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BD51 NLR registered?

BD51 NLR is a 2001 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 27 November 2001.

Is BD51 NLR safe to buy?

The MOT history for BD51 NLR shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BD51 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 BD51 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.