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C218 CBX

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Oct 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

217,014 mi
Last recorded217,014 miles
Recorded on4 Oct 2025
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC218 CBX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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 11 fail
Pass 4 Oct 2025 217,014 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Oct 2024 214,583 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2023 213,026 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 1 Oct 2022 211,293 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2021 209,783 miles

engine oil leak

front axle oil leak

Fail 20 Aug 2021 209,726 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn A frame/differential support (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.2.1 (b))

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Chassis near tow bar (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (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))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Oil leak, but not excessive Differential/half shaft seals/gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Rocker cover/Bell housing/oil filter (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering damper bushes have play

Pass 14 Aug 2020 206,210 miles

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

Pass 22 Aug 2019 203,441 miles

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

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

Fail 22 Aug 2019 203,438 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Aug 2018 200,736 miles

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

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

Pass 29 Aug 2017 198,263 miles

Offside Rear Trailing arm synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak ()

Fail 29 Aug 2017 198,263 miles

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

Offside Rear Trailing arm synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak ()

Pass 31 May 2016 193,979 miles

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

seat belt n/s/front hard to pull out and slow to retact

Fail 31 May 2016 193,979 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

seat belt n/s/front hard to pull out and slow to retact

Pass 8 Jul 2015 192,633 miles

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 6 Jul 2015 192,632 miles

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

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

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

Offside Inner Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 15 Jul 2014 192,300 miles

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

Nearside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 15 Jul 2014 192,300 miles

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

Nearside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Pass 15 Feb 2013 191,308 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Pass 12 Jan 2012 190,228 miles

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Oil leak

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

main beam telltale inop

rear discs worn & pitted

steering damper mounts have slight play

Fail 12 Jan 2012 190,228 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Oil leak

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

main beam telltale inop

rear discs worn & pitted

steering damper mounts have slight play

Pass 8 Feb 2011 187,978 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2011 187,950 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 27 Jan 2010 183,502 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 26 Jan 2009 182,423 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2009 182,412 miles

Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

Fail 22 Jan 2008 182,387 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 22 Jan 2008 182,387 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Jan 2007 182,154 miles
Fail 16 Jan 2007 182,154 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 13 Jan 2006 181,892 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

C218 CBX is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 C218 CBX, 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 C218 CBX?

You can check the full history of C218 CBX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C218 CBX registered?

C218 CBX is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1986.

Is C218 CBX safe to buy?

The MOT history for C218 CBX shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C218 CBX 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 C218 CBX. 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.