CarVerify

Free Car Check

C356 MFE

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Nov 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

151,016 mi
Last recorded151,016 miles
Recorded on12 Nov 2025
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationC356 MFE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

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 13 fail
Pass 12 Nov 2025 151,016 miles

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

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

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

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Nov 2024 148,613 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2023 144,976 miles

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

various signs of light corrosion to vehicle under side

Pass 23 Aug 2022 142,525 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

hazard switch light not working

Fail 25 Jul 2022 142,524 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting door sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

hazard switch light not working

Nearside Rear hub seal leaking

Pass 26 Jul 2021 141,422 miles

Front Wheel bearing has slight play nearside/offside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Offside Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 27 Jul 2020 141,108 miles

Front Wheel bearing has slight play nearside/offside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/ transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside/offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 21 Jul 2020 141,099 miles

Front Prop shaft bearing excessively worn (6.1.7 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play nearside/offside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/ transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside/offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 22 Jul 2019 140,316 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play nearside/offside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Prop shaft bearing has slight play front/rear (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside/offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

all tyres slightly cracked

Pass 4 Jul 2018 139,263 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 2 Jul 2018 139,256 miles

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

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

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))

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

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

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

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

Steering box fixing bolts ineffective all mounting bolts to short and do not pass through locking nut (2.1.2 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 12 Jul 2017 138,117 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

drop arm has play in ball joint

Fail 11 Jul 2017 138,117 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

drop arm has play in ball joint

Pass 21 Jul 2016 136,883 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

drop arm has slight play in ball joint

Fail 20 Jul 2016 136,882 miles

Fuel pipe leaking return pipes from injectors (7.2.3)

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

drop arm has slight play in ball joint

Pass 21 Jul 2015 135,493 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Body has slight displacement of the body relative to the chassis (6.1.B.1a)

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

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

drop arm has slight play

play in n/s front swivel joint

Pass 23 Jul 2014 134,307 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

rear crossmembers corroded

slight play in n/s front swivel joint

Fail 16 Jul 2014 134,307 miles

Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

n/s rear bump stop missing

rear crossmembers corroded

slight play in n/s front swivel joint

Pass 15 Jul 2013 132,786 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

n/s rear body to chassis corroded

n/s rear bump stop corroded

o/s rear chassis corroded

play in n/s front swivel joint

rear crossmembers corroded

Fail 12 Jul 2013 132,786 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

n/s rear body to chassis corroded

n/s rear bump stop corroded

rear crossmembers corroded

Pass 29 Jun 2012 130,720 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

centre u/j in steering column has slight play

n/s/r bump stop rusted through

rear crossmember corroding onboth outside extremes

some brake pipes covered in underseal

tractor joints leaking slightly

Fail 28 Jun 2012 130,720 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Power steering pump drive system defective (2.3.6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

centre u/j in steering column has slight play

n/s/r bump stop rusted through

rear crossmember corroding onboth outside extremes

some brake pipes covered in underseal

tractor joints leaking slightly

Pass 6 Jul 2011 128,422 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

brake pedal anti slip worn

signs of fluid around n/s and o/s front spheres

windscreen scored

Fail 6 Jul 2011 128,422 miles

Lower Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

brake pedal anti slip worn

signs of fluid around n/s and o/s front spheres

windscreen scored

Pass 19 Jul 2010 127,016 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

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

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

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

brake pedal anti slip worn

n/s/r body mounting corroded

o/s/r body mounting showing corrosion

o/s/r bump stop missing

o/s/r chassis showing corrosion

signs of fluid on fuel tank

steering column U.J worn

windscreen scored

Fail 14 Jul 2010 127,016 miles

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

Nearside Front 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 Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

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

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

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

brake pedal anti slip worn

o/s/r body mounting showing corrosion

o/s/r bump stop missing

signs of fluid on fuel tank

steering column U.J worn

windscreen scored

Pass 13 Jul 2009 126,209 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 25 Jul 2008 125,789 miles

slight oil leak n/s front sphere

Fail 22 Jul 2008 125,787 miles

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

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

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

slight oil leak n/s front sphere

Pass 26 Jul 2007 124,659 miles
Fail 23 Jul 2007 124,658 miles

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

Offside Front Ball joint socket spring weak (2.2.B.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 26 Jul 2006 121,490 miles
Fail 26 Jul 2006 121,486 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

chassis corosion n/s/r not within prescribed area

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

C356 MFE is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 C356 MFE, 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 C356 MFE?

You can check the full history of C356 MFE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C356 MFE registered?

C356 MFE is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 January 1986.

Is C356 MFE safe to buy?

The MOT history for C356 MFE shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C356 MFE 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 C356 MFE. 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.