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C797 XAA

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Sep 2027
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

252,843 mi
Last recorded252,843 miles
Recorded on15 Sep 2026
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

RegistrationC797 XAA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 15 Sep 2026 252,843 miles

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

Offside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Sep 2026 252,816 miles

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Sep 2025 251,588 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2025 251,578 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 12 Jan 2023 251,560 miles

Front Both swivel hubs weeping

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

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

Fail 11 Jan 2023 251,556 miles

Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Both swivel hubs weeping

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

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

Pass 29 Nov 2021 251,275 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive Both front swivels (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced shocker top marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 23 Nov 2021 251,271 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Spring marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Both front swivels (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced shocker top marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2020 250,363 miles

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 9 Dec 2020 250,352 miles

Emissions not tested due to oil leak (8.2.2.2 (e))

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis at top shock absorber mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Position lamp switch allows the rear position lamps to be switched off when the headlamps are on (4.2.2 (a))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis rear tie rod front mounting area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 31 Jul 2019 247,623 miles

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 17 Jul 2018 245,840 miles

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

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

hose clip on fuel filler neck missing

Fail 1 May 2018 245,834 miles

All position lamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp go out when putting on dip beam (1.1.A.3f)

Brake fluid warning lamp inoperative (3.6.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis by shock absorber top mounting area (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Front Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush both on axle (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped across axle (3.6.B.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush front on axle plus securing bolt loose (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e) DANGEROUS

Rear Braking system leaking both rear brakes (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

fuel filler hose clip missing

Pass 7 Jul 2016 242,071 miles

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

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

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

fuel filler pipe clip missing but no leaks present

Pass 29 Jun 2015 237,277 miles

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jun 2015 237,273 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Jun 2013 226,148 miles

offside front brake binding slightly

Pass 12 Jul 2012 222,597 miles

nearside brake hose slightly twisted

steering box damp

Pass 25 Feb 2011 215,529 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2011 215,509 miles

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

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Lower Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear reflector excessively damaged so that its function is impaired (1.5.1c)

Pass 16 Feb 2010 210,969 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2009 207,394 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 13 Feb 2008 206,312 miles

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

Pass 4 Jan 2007 201,250 miles
Pass 9 Jan 2006 193,810 miles
Fail 5 Jan 2006 193,748 miles

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

Nearside Rear 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)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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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C797 XAA is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 C797 XAA, 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 C797 XAA?

You can check the full history of C797 XAA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C797 XAA registered?

C797 XAA is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 9 June 1986.

Is C797 XAA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C797 XAA shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C797 XAA 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 C797 XAA. 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.