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C196 WHA

1985 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Oct 2026
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

88,098 mi
Last recorded88,098 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 2025
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

RegistrationC196 WHA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGrey
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

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 88,098 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive power steering (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front uj (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting rear crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

rear half shaft seals leaking

Fail 8 Sep 2025 88,095 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Fluid leak, but not excessive power steering (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front uj (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

rear half shaft seals leaking

Pass 3 Oct 2024 86,289 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement crook bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component pump (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle balljoint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

steering damper bushes worn

Fail 26 Sep 2024 86,288 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (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 balljoint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement crook bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component pump (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle balljoint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

steering damper bushes worn

Pass 15 Sep 2023 84,764 miles

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2022 83,210 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported under bonnet (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front bump stop missing

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear bump stop mountings corroded

Fail 27 Sep 2022 83,210 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported under bonnet (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front bump stop missing

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear bump stop mountings corroded

Pass 29 Sep 2021 80,877 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive bump stop insecure (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 29 Sep 2021 80,877 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive bump stop insecure (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 25 Sep 2020 78,494 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported under bonnet (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front swivel seal leaking

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear bump stops corroded

Fail 21 Sep 2020 78,494 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear @ rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

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

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear @ rear (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported under bonnet (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front swivel seal leaking

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear bump stops corroded

Pass 11 Sep 2019 76,146 miles

all brake pipes slightly corroded

slight play in o/s/f swivel hub

Pass 14 Sep 2018 74,168 miles

exhaust tail pipe deteriorated

front to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

slight play in both front swivel hubs

Fail 6 Sep 2018 74,071 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose porous ferrul (1.1.12 (e))

exhaust tail pipe deteriorated

front to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

slight play in both front swivel hubs

Pass 31 Aug 2017 71,500 miles

Offside Rear indicator lense deteriorated

front to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

n/s/r hub axle hub cap has slight oil leak

power steering box has slight leak

Fail 14 Aug 2017 71,457 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear @ rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Outer hub slight oil leak

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

steering damper bushes worn

Pass 13 Aug 2016 69,086 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

all tyres perishing

Fail 8 Aug 2016 69,086 miles

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

all tyres perishing

Pass 8 Sep 2015 66,792 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases rear tail pipe (7.1.2)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 1 Sep 2015 66,725 miles

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

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases rear tail pipe (7.1.2)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 30 Aug 2014 64,725 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2014 64,725 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 12 Sep 2013 64,125 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2013 64,125 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Pass 28 Aug 2012 63,926 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2012 63,926 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

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

Fail 18 Aug 2011 63,823 miles

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

Pass 18 Aug 2011 63,823 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2010 63,526 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2010 63,526 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 25 Aug 2009 63,249 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2009 63,249 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Aug 2008 62,593 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Pass 16 Aug 2007 61,034 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2006 60,884 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2006 60,884 miles

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

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

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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C196 WHA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 C196 WHA, 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 C196 WHA?

You can check the full history of C196 WHA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C196 WHA registered?

C196 WHA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 18 October 1985.

Is C196 WHA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C196 WHA shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C196 WHA 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 C196 WHA. 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.