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C197 JMA

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Mar 2027
Tests25 (15 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

112,987 mi
Last recorded112,987 miles
Recorded on18 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

RegistrationC197 JMA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBlue
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

15 pass 10 fail
Pass 18 Mar 2026 112,987 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Brake binding

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2024 111,713 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))

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

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

Fail 20 Dec 2024 111,713 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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))

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2023 108,119 miles
Pass 23 May 2019 99,903 miles

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

corrosion on front chassis

corrosion on front outriggers

Fail 13 May 2019 99,903 miles

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

corrosion on front chassis

corrosion on front outriggers

Pass 3 May 2018 99,850 miles

Oil leak ()

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

brake pedal spongy

corrosion on both outriggers

corrosion on brake discs

cracks in offside front tyre

Fail 3 Apr 2018 99,847 miles

Central Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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 front to rear (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Front Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Speedometer cannot be illuminated. (6.7.3)

Central Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe slightly corroded both front (3.6.B.2c)

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

corrosion on both front brake discs

corrosion on both front outriggers

cracks in offside front tyre

Pass 16 Jul 2015 99,694 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 16 Jul 2015 99,694 miles

Centre Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Jun 2014 98,807 miles

Oil leak

Fail 10 Jun 2014 98,806 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Oil leak

Pass 2 Jul 2013 98,019 miles

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 22 Jun 2012 96,789 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2012 96,789 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

Pass 17 Jun 2011 95,734 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2011 95,716 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

Pass 14 Jun 2010 94,551 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2009 93,241 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 16 Jun 2009 93,241 miles

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

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 24 Jun 2008 91,672 miles
Pass 21 Jun 2007 89,896 miles

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

Fail 18 Jun 2007 89,895 miles

Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.2.B.1a)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incomplete (1.1.4a)

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

Fail 21 Jun 2006 88,279 miles

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is above 850mm from the ground (1.6.B3)

Pass 21 Jun 2006 88,279 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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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.

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C197 JMA is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 C197 JMA, 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 C197 JMA?

You can check the full history of C197 JMA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C197 JMA registered?

C197 JMA is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 February 1986.

Is C197 JMA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C197 JMA shows 25 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C197 JMA 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 C197 JMA. 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.