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C489 DWX

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Oct 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

178,609 mi
Last recorded178,609 miles
Recorded on19 Sep 2025
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC489 DWX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 19 Sep 2025 178,609 miles

Nearside Front axle swivel joint slight oil leak

Offside Front axle swivel joint slight oil leak

Fail 17 Sep 2025 178,604 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Front axle swivel joint slight oil leak

Offside Front axle swivel joint slight oil leak

Pass 20 Sep 2024 178,437 miles

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive front and rear differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced covered in underseal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

both front swivel joints leaking

Pass 18 Sep 2023 178,152 miles

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced covered in underseal (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

both front tractor joints have slight seepage

Pass 12 Sep 2022 177,738 miles

Nearside Rear suspension rod bracket has slight corrosion

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear suspension rod bracket has slight corrosion

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member covered in underseal (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

chassis and components subject to heavy underseal treatment

Pass 21 Sep 2021 177,382 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear hub seal leaking

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

Rear cross member holed outside pescribed area

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

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

n/s/f o/s/f hub seals weeping

unable to fully assess chassis at rear due to heavy underseal

Pass 10 Oct 2020 177,009 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Oct 2020 176,996 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis/ cross member (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2019 176,609 miles

1/ o/s front upper shock sober mounting becoming corroded small hole

Fail 8 Apr 2019 176,074 miles

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))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassie rail under wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassie cross member on n/s and o/s (5.3.6 (a) (i))

1/ o/s front upper shock sober mounting becoming corroded small hole

Pass 9 Apr 2018 175,246 miles

1/ o/s front uper shock asober mounting becoming corroded small hole

2/ rear chassie cross member becoming corroded

Pass 13 Apr 2017 174,260 miles

Both front tyres near legal limits.

Fail 10 Apr 2017 174,248 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure is broken (2.7.2b)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassie cross member corroded at bottom (2.4.A.3)

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassie cross member corroded on n/s ans o/s (2.4.A.3)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis cross member at top in front of rear axle (2.4.A.3)

Both front tyres near legal limits.

Pass 8 Apr 2016 173,451 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2015 172,576 miles
Pass 25 Apr 2014 171,601 miles
Pass 15 Apr 2013 170,425 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2012 169,155 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2011 167,699 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2011 167,687 miles

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Pass 17 Apr 2010 166,270 miles
Fail 15 Apr 2010 166,257 miles

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

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

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

1. o/s rear chassis rail becoming weak due to corrosion. 2. steering box appears damp, no leak at time of test.

Pass 22 Apr 2009 164,670 miles

slight leak from steering box

Fail 22 Apr 2009 164,670 miles

Rear Steering component deformed and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

slight leak from steering box

Pass 1 May 2008 163,592 miles

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

slight leak from both front hub oil seals

Fail 25 Apr 2008 163,588 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

slight leak from both front hub oil seals

Pass 3 May 2007 162,711 miles
Fail 2 May 2007 162,711 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Rear Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

Pass 8 May 2006 157,370 miles

advisory items as before

Fail 4 May 2006 157,370 miles

Brake cable locking device insecure (3.5.1l)

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incomplete (1.5.A1b)

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

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

advise both n/s radius arm bushes inner bonding split change as soon as possible

advise slight play in o/s top & bottom suspension joints

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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C489 DWX is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 C489 DWX, 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 C489 DWX?

You can check the full history of C489 DWX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C489 DWX registered?

C489 DWX is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 March 1986.

Is C489 DWX safe to buy?

The MOT history for C489 DWX shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C489 DWX 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 C489 DWX. 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.