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C388 HCA

1985 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Oct 2026
Tests20 (13 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate65%

Mileage

161,260 mi
Last recorded161,260 miles
Recorded on25 Oct 2025
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

RegistrationC388 HCA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
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

13 pass 7 fail
Pass 25 Oct 2025 161,260 miles

Front Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal osf+nsf (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal NSR+OSR (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal Multiple areas. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Aug 2023 161,250 miles

Front Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged bulkhead area no clips on top part of pipe (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength crossmember in front of rear axle corroded excessively and hole in top of chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive o/s and n/s (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal o/s and n/s (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive lower metal part of seat belt anchorage badly corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal various locations (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear o/s and n/s rear drum brakes locking up when vehicle in reverse

Pass 9 Jun 2022 160,811 miles

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch Front and rear ()

Pass 12 Apr 2021 159,706 miles

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

Nearside Front Tracts sphere leaking oil

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Chassis corroded front of spring tower (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Spring tower corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive A frame cross member corroded Front of axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Spring tower corroded on both sides (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 9 Apr 2021 159,705 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Suspect bulb incorrectly fitted (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp When lights On (4.4.3 (b))

Offside Front Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp When headlights On (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced Suspect earth fault (4.1.4 (b))

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

Nearside Front Tracts sphere leaking oil

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Chassis corroded front of spring tower (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Spring tower corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive A frame cross member corroded Front of axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Spring tower corroded on both sides (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 26 Sep 2019 158,955 miles

Drivers door bottom rotted

Front Upper Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Bulkhead rotted at centre (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Cross member rotted front and above axle (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Bulkhead corroded by floor pan (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Slight bind on hand brake ( rear of gear box)drum

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Drop arm ball joint on steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 21 May 2018 158,194 miles

Cracks in tyre walls

Front Tracta spheres on both sides leaking oil

Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Bulkhead corroded (6.1.A.1)

Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Floor pan on both sides (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Cross member rotted on corner front and above axle (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear of battery box rotted

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

Offside Gearbox mounting defective ()

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

Rear Bump stops missing on both sides

Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive On both sides (2.4.A.3)

Fail 10 May 2018 158,193 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement (3.3.A.5)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

rear brake recording little or no effort On both sides (3.7.B.5a)

Cracks in tyre walls

Front Tracta spheres on both sides leaking oil

Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Bulkhead corroded (6.1.A.1)

Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Floor pan on both sides (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Cross member rotted on corner front and above axle (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear of battery box rotted

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

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

Rear Bump stops missing on both sides

Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive On both sides (2.4.A.3)

Front Propshaft universal joint worn Front joint ()

Fail 17 Nov 2017 158,190 miles

Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside On both sides (1.8)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Outer Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Chassis rotted front of steering box (2.2.C.1h)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Steering locking device insecure Lock tab on steering box drop arm incorrectly fitted not locked on drop arm (2.2.C.1g)

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) Drop arm loose on steering box splines (2.2.A.1a)

Front Outer Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Foot well below bulkhead corroded on both sides (6.1.A.1)

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion Seat box under passenger seat rotted at rear (6.1.A.1)

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

Pass 16 May 2016 158,020 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2014 156,967 miles

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 15 Apr 2013 156,733 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2012 154,506 miles
Pass 21 Mar 2011 153,447 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2011 135,447 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Oct 2009 149,282 miles

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

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

Fail 14 Oct 2009 149,168 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Oct 2008 143,339 miles

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

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

Pass 8 Oct 2007 142,714 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2007 142,714 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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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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.

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C388 HCA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65%.

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 C388 HCA, 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 C388 HCA?

You can check the full history of C388 HCA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C388 HCA registered?

C388 HCA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1985.

Is C388 HCA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C388 HCA shows 20 tests with a 65% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C388 HCA 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 C388 HCA. 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.