CarVerify

Free Car Check

C494 LEW

1985 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 May 2022
Tests20 (11 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate55%

Mileage

95,813 mi
Last recorded95,813 miles
Recorded on31 May 2022
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationC494 LEW
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

11 pass 9 fail
Fail 31 May 2022 95,813 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting body mounting out riger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush top bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis cross member corroded with in 30 cm of front trailing arm (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material from flex hose to caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both front shock absorbers bottom bushes (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 29 Apr 2021 95,713 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near to shock absorber mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near to shock absorber mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 29 Apr 2021 95,713 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near to shock absorber mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near to shock absorber mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 20 May 2020 95,639 miles
Pass 23 May 2019 95,423 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 May 2018 94,767 miles

Front Panhard rod slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Outrigger repaired but could do with being plated as well

Slight play in base of steering box

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 11 May 2018 94,767 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Front Panhard rod slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Front Outrigger repaired but could do with being plated as well

Slight play in base of steering box

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 6 Apr 2018 94,738 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

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

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded O/S of rear cross member (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak from engine area ()

battery box seriously corroded

front cross member corroded and has hole

wipers smear screen slightly

Pass 8 Sep 2012 85,149 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2012 85,149 miles

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

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

front and rear prop shafts ujs badly worn

oil cap insecure

Pass 27 Sep 2011 84,219 miles
Fail 23 Sep 2011 84,169 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear 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 tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 10 Sep 2010 81,310 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2010 81,225 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 3 Oct 2009 78,865 miles

Front Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

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

diesel pump has slight seepage

Fail 30 Sep 2009 78,865 miles

Front Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Front Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

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

diesel pump has slight seepage

Fail 9 Sep 2009 78,784 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 29 Aug 2008 78,237 miles

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

Pass 10 Sep 2007 77,624 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Oil leak

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

Pass 13 Sep 2006 76,703 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

C494 LEW 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 55%.

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 C494 LEW, 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 C494 LEW?

You can check the full history of C494 LEW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C494 LEW registered?

C494 LEW is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 12 September 1985.

Is C494 LEW safe to buy?

The MOT history for C494 LEW shows 20 tests with a 55% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C494 LEW 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 C494 LEW. 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.