CarVerify

Free Car Check

C550 BNW

1985 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Jul 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

114,880 mi
Last recorded114,880 miles
Recorded on5 Jul 2025
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

RegistrationC550 BNW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 5 Jul 2025 114,880 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Fail 18 Jun 2025 114,854 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Pass 23 May 2024 112,823 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear axle bump stop rubber missing

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside headlamp output slightly reduced

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

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

Pass 28 Apr 2023 107,945 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear bum stop rubber missing

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

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

Pass 3 May 2022 105,934 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced skin (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 20 Apr 2021 101,324 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear axle bump stops defective

Fail 16 Apr 2021 101,299 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced by tie arm mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear axle bump stops defective

Pass 27 Mar 2020 97,755 miles

General corrosion

Oil leaks

Road springs corroded

Stone chip in screen

Welding repairs covered in underseal

Pass 3 Apr 2019 96,588 miles

General corrosion

Oil leaks

Road springs corroded

Slight play in steering damper bush

Welding repairs covered in underseal

Pass 9 Mar 2018 95,817 miles

General corrosion

Oil leak

Road springs corroded

Welding repairs covered in underseal

Fail 9 Mar 2018 95,817 miles

General corrosion

Headlamp aim too high Both (1.8)

Oil leak

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

Road springs corroded

Welding repairs covered in underseal

Pass 7 Mar 2017 93,757 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2017 93,751 miles

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

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

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

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

Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside (3.7.C.2)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

Pass 8 Mar 2016 92,999 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2016 92,999 miles

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

Pass 23 Mar 2015 92,072 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Mar 2014 91,061 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2013 89,930 miles

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Fail 25 Mar 2013 89,930 miles

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Pass 28 Oct 2011 85,787 miles

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

discs pitted

Fail 27 Oct 2011 85,783 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

discs pitted

Pass 22 Oct 2010 82,786 miles

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

Fail 22 Oct 2010 82,786 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2009 80,539 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2009 80,537 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 24 Oct 2008 79,535 miles

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

Pass 18 Oct 2007 78,280 miles

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

Fail 16 Oct 2007 78,280 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 10 Jan 2007 73,115 miles
Fail 10 Jan 2007 73,115 miles

Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 11 Jan 2006 105,857 miles
Fail 3 Jan 2006 105,857 miles

Driver's door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incomplete (1.1.4a)

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

Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

C550 BNW is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 C550 BNW, 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 C550 BNW?

You can check the full history of C550 BNW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C550 BNW registered?

C550 BNW is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 October 1985.

Is C550 BNW safe to buy?

The MOT history for C550 BNW shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C550 BNW 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 C550 BNW. 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.