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BU51 FNW

2001 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Jan 2027
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

156,305 mi
Last recorded156,305 miles
Recorded on8 Jan 2026
Typical for 2001 Land Rover Defender94,644 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU51 FNW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2001
ColourWhite
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 9 fail
Pass 8 Jan 2026 156,305 miles

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all 4 (5.2.3 (e))

steering idler ball joint worn

wipers not parking

Fail 8 Jan 2026 156,296 miles

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all 4 (5.2.3 (e))

steering idler ball joint worn

wipers not parking

Pass 10 Jan 2025 151,679 miles

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

Fail 6 Jan 2025 151,673 miles

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Pass 5 Jan 2024 147,651 miles

Front tyres distorted

Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

door hinges worn

oil leak front suspension and hand brake

suspension bushes worn

Fail 20 Dec 2023 147,591 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Horn sound not in accordance with requirements (7.7 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

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

Front Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail (6.1.7 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front tyres distorted

Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

door hinges worn

oil leak front suspension and hand brake

suspension bushes worn

Pass 16 Dec 2022 142,840 miles

steering damper bush worn

rear prop uj worn

Driver's door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 15 Dec 2022 142,834 miles

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

Driver's door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

rear prop uj worn

steering damper bush worn

Pass 17 Dec 2021 136,940 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

power steering box damp

Fail 14 Dec 2021 136,880 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting x2 (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower 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))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

power steering box damp

Pass 9 Dec 2020 128,679 miles
Pass 20 May 2019 118,462 miles

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Upper Driver's door hinge 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 14 Mar 2019 118,394 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength out rigger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Lower steering u/j worn

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

Offside Front hub damp

Rear prop shaft loose

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

poor beam pattern o/s

steering box damp

Pass 2 Mar 2018 110,515 miles

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

Pass 9 Mar 2017 102,857 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 29 Sep 2015 91,860 miles
Pass 28 Oct 2014 85,199 miles
Pass 17 May 2012 83,700 miles
Fail 10 May 2012 83,684 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 11 May 2011 80,668 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

near/side rear passenger door requires attention

Pass 26 Apr 2010 69,796 miles
Fail 26 Apr 2010 69,794 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 18 May 2009 59,464 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 18 Nov 2008 58,213 miles
Fail 15 Nov 2008 58,211 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Track rod end deformed and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Pass 1 Dec 2007 52,148 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2006 44,198 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2005 35,069 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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BU51 FNW is a 2001 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

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 BU51 FNW, 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 BU51 FNW?

You can check the full history of BU51 FNW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BU51 FNW registered?

BU51 FNW is a 2001 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 27 November 2001.

Is BU51 FNW safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU51 FNW shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BU51 FNW 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 BU51 FNW. 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.