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C531 VUY

1986 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Nov 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

191,546 mi
Last recorded191,546 miles
Recorded on12 Nov 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

RegistrationC531 VUY
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourGreen
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 12 Nov 2025 191,546 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

bulk head corrosion

Pass 15 Nov 2024 191,546 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed door corroded at hinge points (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play axle support ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

bulk head corrosion in areas

Fail 14 Nov 2024 191,546 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play front of hub (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake lining(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake lining(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

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

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

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and functionality of the braking system is affected (1.1.21 (e) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed door corroded at hinge points (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play axle support ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

bulk head corrosion in areas

Pass 16 Nov 2023 191,546 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 Nov 2023 191,546 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 7.50/16c (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Nov 2022 191,546 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Stub axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play rear axle support ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 31 Oct 2022 191,546 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn hockey arm front bushes x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear track rod end (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn hockey arm front bushes x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake lining(s) contaminated hub seal (1.1.13 (b))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Stub axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play rear axle support ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Nov 2021 191,546 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2021 191,546 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

Pass 19 Oct 2020 191,546 miles

EXHAUST MOUNTS PERISHED

NEARSIDE FRONT HEADLAMP DAMAGED

Pass 9 Oct 2019 191,516 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2019 191,516 miles

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

Horn sound not in accordance with requirements (7.7 (c))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 9 Oct 2018 191,546 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Chassis corroded but not load bearing

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Chassis corroded but not load bearing

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

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

Rear Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test ()

Pass 11 Oct 2017 191,546 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2017 191,546 miles

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

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

Pass 11 Oct 2016 191,546 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Pass 10 Mar 2015 189,074 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

various steering and suspension bushes/gaiters perished/cracked

Pass 2 Sep 2013 188,440 miles

Oil leak

slight play in front wheel bearings

slight play in nearside front swivel housing

slight play in nearside track rod end

various steering and suspension bushes/gaiters perished/cracked

Fail 3 Sep 2012 184,806 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 3 Sep 2012 184,806 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 24 Aug 2011 181,208 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2011 181,199 miles

Indicator switch insecure (1.4.A.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Lower Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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)

Pass 5 Oct 2009 180,782 miles

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)

Fail 28 Sep 2009 180,779 miles

Offside Front Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by grease (3.5.1h)

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)

Pass 27 Aug 2008 180,663 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 20 Aug 2007 178,409 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2007 178,409 miles

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 8 Aug 2006 172,302 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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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

C531 VUY is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 C531 VUY, 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 C531 VUY?

You can check the full history of C531 VUY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C531 VUY registered?

C531 VUY is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1986.

Is C531 VUY safe to buy?

The MOT history for C531 VUY shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C531 VUY 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 C531 VUY. 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.