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C221 AEX

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Feb 2027
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

147,590 mi
Last recorded147,590 miles
Recorded on12 Feb 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationC221 AEX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGreen
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 12 Feb 2026 147,590 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Feb 2026 147,590 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Feb 2025 144,474 miles

Front Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel steering dampner bush slightly worn (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Mar 2024 141,288 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

corrosion in vehicle

Fail 22 Mar 2024 141,280 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

corrosion in vehicle

Pass 14 Mar 2023 137,571 miles

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated a frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Mar 2023 137,581 miles

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

Offside Front Steering locking device ineffective at steering box (2.1.3 (d))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated a frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Feb 2022 134,837 miles

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Mar 2021 132,231 miles

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

Fail 19 Mar 2021 132,226 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2020 129,433 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Fail 20 Mar 2020 129,421 miles

Brake pressure/vacuum build up too slow (1.1.3 (b))

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn 2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Pass 19 Feb 2019 125,697 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Feb 2019 125,692 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 19 Jun 2018 123,619 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2017 120,450 miles

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

Nearside Rear tyre deteriorating

Offside Rear tyre deteriorating

Pass 16 Jun 2016 117,037 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2015 114,191 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Jun 2014 105,096 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Pass 1 Jul 2009 104,100 miles
Fail 18 Jun 2009 104,057 miles

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

Front Front drive shaft coupling is excessively worn (2.5.C.1c)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Jun 2008 102,227 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2008 102,227 miles

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 16 Jun 2007 99,629 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Mar 2006 90,557 miles
Fail 9 Mar 2006 90,557 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)

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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C221 AEX is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 C221 AEX, 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 C221 AEX?

You can check the full history of C221 AEX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C221 AEX registered?

C221 AEX is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 November 1985.

Is C221 AEX safe to buy?

The MOT history for C221 AEX shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C221 AEX 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 C221 AEX. 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.