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C26 JJX

1985 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Jul 2026
Tests32 (18 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate56.3%

Mileage

114,162 mi
Last recorded114,162 miles
Recorded on23 Jul 2025
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 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

RegistrationC26 JJX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
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

18 pass 14 fail
Pass 23 Jul 2025 114,162 miles

Main beam tail tail not working.

Fail 9 Jul 2025 114,157 miles

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

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Body component damaged and likely to cause injury Side step (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Hydraulic fluid leaking excessively (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Body component damaged and likely to cause injury (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fuel tank leaking excessively or a risk of fire (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint insecure in a stub axle (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Axle swivel joint insecure in a stub axle (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Vehicle structure is so weakened by damage within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Hydraulic leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Main beam tail tail not working.

Pass 8 Jul 2024 106,182 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Oil leak, but not excessive axle seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security spring mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 8 Jul 2024 106,180 miles

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure loose on the steering box (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Oil leak, but not excessive axle seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security spring mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Jul 2023 101,217 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Fail 13 Jul 2023 101,214 miles

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength spring mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 15 Jul 2022 97,464 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Upper Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 14 Jul 2022 97,462 miles

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside 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))

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

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Upper Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 6 Jul 2021 92,816 miles

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear bump stop mount corroded around chassis

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop mount corroded around chassis

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

Fail 29 Jun 2021 92,815 miles

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

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Fuel tank leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn pan hard rod front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

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

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements (4.2.2 (a))

Power steering component leaking steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear bump stop mount corroded around chassis

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop mount corroded around chassis

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

Pass 3 Jun 2020 86,960 miles

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

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

slight oil leak from o/s & n/s front spheres slight oil leaks from engine/gearbox front axle and power steering pipe

Fail 20 Mar 2020 85,508 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases rear exhaust pipe fractured ---- front exhaust pipe leaking (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box arm ball joint boot (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear pipe corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

oil leaks from engine -gearbox , front axle, and power steering pipe

slight oil leak from offside and near side front spheres

Pass 26 Apr 2019 78,916 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2018 72,610 miles

Oil leak ()

Fail 4 Apr 2018 72,598 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 2 Mar 2017 62,164 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2016 58,442 miles

Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides (2.7.4)

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

Front coil spring corroded & rear (all 4 ) (2.4.C.1b)

oil leak

Fail 19 Jan 2016 58,442 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp inoperative (3.6.G.2)

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing (7.2.4c)

Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides (2.7.4)

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

Front coil spring corroded & rear (all 4 ) (2.4.C.1b)

oil leak

Pass 5 Feb 2015 55,063 miles
Pass 29 May 2014 54,802 miles

possible oil leak from offside rear hub seal.

Fail 29 May 2014 54,802 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.5)

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

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

possible oil leak from offside rear hub seal.

Pass 16 May 2013 53,368 miles
Fail 15 May 2013 53,368 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Fail 24 Oct 2011 178,758 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing (7.2.4c)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

fuel tank looks damp (not leaking at time of test)

Pass 5 Nov 2010 173,958 miles

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

advise new p.a.s. belt

Fail 4 Nov 2010 173,952 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing (7.2.4c)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

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

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

advise new p.a.s. belt

Pass 14 May 2009 166,865 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2009 166,649 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

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

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Front Panhard rod attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 30 Apr 2008 162,769 miles
Pass 1 May 2007 157,397 miles
Fail 1 May 2007 157,397 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

n/s mirror cracked

Pass 3 Dec 2005 151,446 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

C26 JJX is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.3%.

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 C26 JJX, 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 C26 JJX?

You can check the full history of C26 JJX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C26 JJX registered?

C26 JJX is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 27 November 1985.

Is C26 JJX safe to buy?

The MOT history for C26 JJX shows 32 tests with a 56.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C26 JJX 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 C26 JJX. 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.