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C231 FYA

1985 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2286cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Apr 2026
Tests29 (15 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate51.7%

Mileage

112,716 mi
Last recorded112,716 miles
Recorded on3 Apr 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
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC231 FYA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGrey
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,286cc

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 14 fail
Pass 3 Apr 2025 112,716 miles

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Apr 2025 112,716 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Sep 2023 112,389 miles

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

Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view outer zone. (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 21 Jan 2023 112,383 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view cracked. (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 4 May 2021 111,684 miles

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

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 23 Apr 2021 111,664 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 18 Feb 2021 111,654 miles

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

Front Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible Vehicle fitted with LED headlamp bulbs (4.1.4 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Fuel pipe chafing Rubbing on throttle linkage (6.1.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Upper Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 26 Mar 2019 109,927 miles

steering drop arm joint gaiter slightly deteriorated

Fail 26 Mar 2019 109,927 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

steering drop arm joint gaiter slightly deteriorated

Pass 28 Mar 2018 108,464 miles

Front Propshaft universal joint worn ()

Oil leak engine ()

steering damper bushes worn

Fail 20 Mar 2018 108,464 miles

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

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (7.2.4a)

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

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking wheel cylinder (3.6.A.1)

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Steering column locking device insecure steering -shaft to steering box (2.1.6)

Front Propshaft universal joint worn ()

Oil leak engine ()

steering damper bushes worn

steering drop-arm loose

Pass 16 Mar 2017 106,988 miles

Oil leak ()

Fail 9 Mar 2017 106,975 miles

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Oil leak ()

Pass 7 Mar 2016 105,203 miles

front axle bushes have slightly worn

o/s swivel housing oil leak

Fail 7 Mar 2016 105,191 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm LOOSE (2.2.B.1b)

front axle bushes have slightly worn

o/s swivel housing oil leak

Pass 10 Mar 2015 103,880 miles

Oil leak

Fail 24 Feb 2015 103,868 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 27 Sep 2013 102,548 miles

Advise front swivel housing oil leaks.

Advise slight oil leak from o/s/r axle.

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 19 Sep 2013 102,540 miles

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1)

Advise front swivel housing oil leaks.

Advise slight oil leak from o/s/r axle.

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 21 Sep 2012 101,435 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

all four tyres perished

Pass 22 Dec 2009 101,391 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

EXHAUST EMITS WHITE/BLUE SMOKE INTERMITTANTLY

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 21 Dec 2009 101,388 miles

All position lamps not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.A.2a)

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

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

EXHAUST EMITS WHITE/BLUE SMOKE

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 19 Dec 2008 101,259 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2008 101,254 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 15 Nov 2007 98,655 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2007 98,652 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Steering box insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 15 Nov 2006 96,145 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2006 96,145 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 11 Nov 2005 92,817 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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C231 FYA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,286cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.7%.

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 C231 FYA, 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 C231 FYA?

You can check the full history of C231 FYA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C231 FYA registered?

C231 FYA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 November 1985.

Is C231 FYA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C231 FYA shows 29 tests with a 51.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C231 FYA 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 C231 FYA. 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.