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C3 JSS

1997 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Jun 2027
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

168,622 mi
Last recorded168,622 miles
Recorded on22 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC3 JSS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourRed
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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 22 Jun 2026 168,622 miles
Pass 19 Jun 2025 168,007 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive rear diff oil seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

both swivel hub seals minor leak

Pass 18 Jun 2024 167,459 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Swivel axle hub seal leaking

Nearside Front Upper Steering dampener bush perished

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

Offside Front Swivel axle hub seal has a light misting of oil

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Lower bushes perished, and beginning to break up (5.3.2 (c))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Rear differential seal leaking (front section) (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 12 Jun 2024 167,458 miles

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Swivel axle hub seal leaking

Nearside Front Upper Steering dampener bush perished

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

Offside Front Swivel axle hub seal has a light misting of oil

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Lower bushes perished, and beginning to break up (5.3.2 (c))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Rear differential seal leaking (front section) (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Apr 2023 167,181 miles

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

rear diff seal leaking oil

Fail 3 Apr 2023 167,181 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside 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))

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

rear diff seal leaking oil

Fail 3 Mar 2023 167,181 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded pedal box (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Nearside 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))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis leg rusted through in several places. (marked with chalk) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Rear diff seal. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 24 Mar 2022 166,966 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2020 166,617 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2020 166,617 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis behind hockey leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 8 Apr 2019 165,593 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2019 165,592 miles

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

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

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

Rear Direction indicator not working both (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 10 Apr 2018 162,186 miles
Fail 10 Apr 2018 162,186 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Pass 12 Apr 2017 161,146 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Apr 2017 161,146 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 29 Mar 2016 160,125 miles

Nearside Front swivel housing leaking oil

Offside wiper rubber split

Fail 22 Mar 2016 160,125 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour showing white light (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded affecting anti-roll bar mounting (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front swivel housing leaking oil

Offside wiper rubber split

Pass 10 Oct 2014 159,369 miles

Chassis corroded

Front to rear brake pipe obscured by chassis

Near side front brake pipe corroded

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Rear brake discs pitted

Reverse light not working

Fail 7 Oct 2014 159,369 miles

Centre Rear Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Chassis corroded

Front to rear brake pipe obscured by chassis

Near side front brake pipe corroded

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Rear brake discs pitted

Reverse light not working

Pass 8 Oct 2013 158,490 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2013 158,480 miles

Offside Front 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)

Pass 26 Sep 2012 155,720 miles
Pass 14 Oct 2011 152,501 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2011 152,485 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Oct 2010 146,724 miles

nearside rear wheel bearing has very slight play and very slight noise

offside front wheel bearing has very slight play

Pass 14 Oct 2009 138,886 miles
Fail 12 Oct 2009 138,886 miles

Offside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 31 Jan 2008 132,200 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2007 119,043 miles

o/s/f tractor joint leaking

rear cross member corroded

Pass 25 Jan 2006 107,932 miles

Front section of Exhaust in generally poor condition.

O/S tractor Joint is weeping slightly.

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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C3 JSS is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.5% with a typical mileage of 117,879 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 C3 JSS, 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 29 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C3 JSS?

You can check the full history of C3 JSS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C3 JSS registered?

C3 JSS is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is C3 JSS safe to buy?

The MOT history for C3 JSS shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C3 JSS 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 C3 JSS. 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.