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C303 AHN

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Apr 2027
Tests24 (11 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate45.8%

Mileage

199,213 mi
Last recorded199,213 miles
Recorded on27 Apr 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC303 AHN
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

11 pass 13 fail
Pass 27 Apr 2026 199,213 miles

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

both front hub seal leaking slightly

Fail 20 Apr 2026 199,208 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

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

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

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected chassis (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

both front hub seal leaking slightly

Pass 7 Mar 2025 194,522 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

NO centre seat fitted

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

Fail 7 Mar 2025 194,519 miles

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

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

NO centre seat fitted

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

Pass 21 Feb 2024 190,873 miles

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Box area (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 15 Feb 2024 190,860 miles

Central Seat belt missing (7.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Box area (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Pass 13 Mar 2023 186,588 miles

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

Offside Stub axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

Fail 6 Mar 2023 186,588 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Power steering component leaking Box (2.1.5 (a))

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

Offside Stub axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

Pass 15 Mar 2022 183,226 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing sidewall perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

no passenger seats fitted at time of test

Fail 15 Mar 2022 183,226 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing sidewall perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

no passenger seats fitted at time of test

Pass 18 Mar 2021 183,089 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing side wall perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside windscreen delaminating

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

Fail 3 Mar 2021 183,079 miles

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

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

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

Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Mar 2020 181,612 miles
Fail 2 Mar 2020 181,610 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect dipped beam pattern when main beam operated (4.1.2 (c))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

Fail 15 May 2018 123,258 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded x2 (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded x2 (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Fail 5 Feb 2018 123,242 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

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

Nearside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 16 Feb 2017 120,626 miles
Fail 7 Feb 2017 120,620 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Jan 2016 116,695 miles
Fail 15 Jan 2016 116,667 miles

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 15 Jan 2015 112,617 miles
Pass 29 Jan 2014 100,476 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

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

Fail 29 Jan 2014 100,476 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

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

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

Fail 18 Oct 2005 96,460 miles

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

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod worn and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber casing corroded externally so the unit does not function (2.7.2a)

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

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

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

C303 AHN is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 45.8%.

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 C303 AHN, 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 C303 AHN?

You can check the full history of C303 AHN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C303 AHN registered?

C303 AHN is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1985.

Is C303 AHN safe to buy?

The MOT history for C303 AHN shows 24 tests with a 45.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C303 AHN 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 C303 AHN. 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.