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C398 WFX

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Petrol 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 May 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

138,562 mi
Last recorded138,562 miles
Recorded on19 May 2026
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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC398 WFX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 19 May 2026 138,562 miles
Pass 22 May 2025 137,773 miles
Pass 24 May 2024 136,958 miles

Both front driveshaft 'eyeball' seals damp

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

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

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

Rear axle upper stabiliser ball joint rubber quite deteriorated and starting to split

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

Fail 14 May 2024 136,992 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm off of steering box (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases pipe into rear sliencer (6.1.2 (a))

Both front driveshaft 'eyeball' seals damp

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil leaking (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Rear axle upper stabiliser ball joint rubber quite deteriorated and starting to split

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

Steering damper bushes worn

Pass 15 May 2023 135,619 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 May 2022 134,986 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 12 May 2021 134,206 miles
Fail 11 May 2021 134,190 miles

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp goes out when brake applied (4.2.3 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 12 Nov 2019 133,305 miles
Pass 31 Oct 2018 132,858 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 31 Oct 2018 132,858 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 3 Nov 2017 132,324 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear stub axel seeping oil

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

all welding has heavy under-seal coating

Fail 25 Oct 2017 132,324 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (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)

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

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

Nearside Rear stub axel seeping oil

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

Pass 12 Oct 2016 131,691 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside and offside rear outriggers corroded

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

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

Pass 11 Nov 2015 130,591 miles

Nearside Rear axel seal seeping

corrosion around bump stop mounts

Pass 23 Oct 2014 129,692 miles
Pass 11 Oct 2013 129,181 miles

nearside rear axel seal seaping

Fail 11 Oct 2013 129,181 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

nearside rear axel seal seaping

Pass 29 Oct 2012 128,181 miles

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

nearside front out-rigger corroded

Pass 20 Oct 2011 127,777 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Oil leak

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

nearide rear hub seal seeping

Pass 12 Oct 2010 127,401 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2009 126,321 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

near side rear axle oil seal slight leak

Fail 21 Oct 2009 126,320 miles

Rear Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

near side rear axle oil seal slight leak

Pass 17 Oct 2008 125,035 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2008 125,033 miles

Front drive shaft coupling is excessively worn (2.5.C.1c)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Pass 9 Nov 2007 122,988 miles

steering box slight oil leak

Pass 17 Oct 2006 113,286 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2006 113,286 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2005 104,876 miles

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

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

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

oil leak

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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C398 WFX is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 C398 WFX, 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 C398 WFX?

You can check the full history of C398 WFX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C398 WFX registered?

C398 WFX is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 16 August 1985.

Is C398 WFX safe to buy?

The MOT history for C398 WFX shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C398 WFX 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 C398 WFX. 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.