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C38 VJT

1985 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Dec 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

155,382 mi
Last recorded155,382 miles
Recorded on12 Dec 2025
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC38 VJT
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 12 Dec 2025 155,382 miles

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

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

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

Fail 3 Dec 2025 155,382 miles

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 6 Dec 2024 152,564 miles

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

Pass 11 Dec 2023 150,217 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing also has a nail in the tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

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

Offside Rear Fuel tank area damp

Oil leak, but not excessive front engine, gearbox & diffs (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2022 146,382 miles

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine, gearbox and both diffs (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 30 Nov 2022 146,382 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Nearside Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine, gearbox and both diffs (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Dec 2021 143,770 miles

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

Fail 1 Dec 2021 143,770 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake drum contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

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

Pass 18 Nov 2020 139,095 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jun 2019 139,004 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

floor corroded

vehicle heavily undersealed

Fail 30 May 2019 139,002 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front outrigger corroded

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

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

Offside Front outrigger corroded

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

floor corroded

vehicle heavily undersealed

Pass 22 Jun 2018 138,588 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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))

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

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

vehicle under-sealed

Fail 14 Jun 2018 138,587 miles

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Position lamp showing white light to the rear (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

vehicle under-sealed

Pass 16 Jun 2017 138,199 miles

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

Oil leak ()

Fail 7 Jun 2017 138,197 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases middle section (7.1.2)

Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 6 Jun 2016 137,450 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

oil leak

Fail 24 May 2016 137,450 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases middle section (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

oil leak

Pass 15 May 2015 136,290 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak

Pass 14 May 2014 134,584 miles

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

Fail 14 May 2014 134,582 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

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

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

Pass 10 May 2013 132,244 miles

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

Fail 7 May 2013 132,243 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Apr 2012 130,697 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Fail 23 Apr 2012 130,697 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted (7.4.B.1)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Pass 3 May 2011 129,320 miles

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

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

front discs badly worn and corroded

Fail 26 Apr 2011 129,318 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

front discs badly worn and corroded

Pass 15 Apr 2010 125,181 miles

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

power steering slightly leaking

oil leak from front diff

Fail 13 Apr 2010 125,161 miles

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

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

power steering slightly leaking

oil leak from front diff

Pass 22 Apr 2009 119,982 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2008 111,924 miles

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

drivers front tyre wall starting to perish.

Pass 31 Mar 2007 106,459 miles

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

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

drivers front tyre sidewall starting to perish, ok for mot test at this time.

passenger front tyre wall starting to perish, ok for mot test at this time.

Pass 22 Apr 2006 101,937 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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C38 VJT is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 C38 VJT, 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 C38 VJT?

You can check the full history of C38 VJT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C38 VJT registered?

C38 VJT is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1985.

Is C38 VJT safe to buy?

The MOT history for C38 VJT shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C38 VJT 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 C38 VJT. 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.