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C163 EHW

1986 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Mar 2027
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

120,000 mi
Last recorded120,000 miles
Recorded on13 Mar 2026
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC163 EHW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 13 Mar 2026 120,000 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 14 Aug 2023 120,000 miles

Coil spring corroded All springs corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Engine oil leak

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

Gear box oil leak

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

Offside Front Swivel joint seal small leak

Under side of vehicle corroded

Pass 8 Sep 2022 120,000 miles

Engine oil leak

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Underside of vehicle corroded

Fail 15 Aug 2022 120,000 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Engine oil leak

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Underside of vehicle corroded

Pass 23 Sep 2021 120,000 miles

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 15 Sep 2021 120,000 miles

Nearside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury door (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury door (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

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

Offside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Oct 2020 120,000 miles

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 12 Oct 2020 120,000 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

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

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Aug 2019 120,000 miles

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

Front hub seal slight leak

Nearside Front out rigger

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

very slight leak from diesel pump

Pass 29 Aug 2018 119,858 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Reversing lamp not working

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all round (5.2.3 (d) (i))

both front hub seal sight leaking

slight diesel leak on pump

Fail 28 Aug 2018 119,856 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front 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 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))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced out rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Exhaust silencer insecure spilt (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Reversing lamp not working

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all round (5.2.3 (d) (i))

both front hub seal sight leaking

slight diesel leak on pump

Pass 22 Aug 2017 119,332 miles

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

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

Offside outer sphere seal damp, no visible leak

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

Pass 18 Aug 2016 119,115 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 15 Aug 2016 119,114 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 12 Aug 2015 118,347 miles

Exhaust emits visible black smoke at idle (7.4.A.1)

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

tyres craking all round

Pass 4 Aug 2014 117,065 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 31 Jul 2013 115,873 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2013 115,873 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 14 Dec 2011 114,248 miles
Fail 12 Dec 2011 114,248 miles

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)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 13 Dec 2010 113,500 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2009 111,305 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2009 111,305 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 4 Nov 2008 108,690 miles
Fail 29 Oct 2008 108,690 miles

Centre Steering arm damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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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C163 EHW is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1986 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.7% with a typical mileage of 124,952 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 C163 EHW, 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 40 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 C163 EHW?

You can check the full history of C163 EHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C163 EHW registered?

C163 EHW is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1986.

Is C163 EHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for C163 EHW shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C163 EHW 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 C163 EHW. 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.