CarVerify

Free Car Check

C826 HDT

1985 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 Aug 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

145,940 mi
Last recorded145,940 miles
Recorded on28 Aug 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Above 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

RegistrationC826 HDT
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

19 pass 10 fail
Fail 28 Aug 2026 145,940 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Pass 1 Sep 2025 145,108 miles

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 (6.1.1 (d) (i))

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

mostly very good s/hand parts fitted

Fail 20 Aug 2025 145,097 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut from edge greater than 2mm (7.1.2 (b))

Exhaust fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board (6.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust silencer likely to become detached (8.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Vehicle structure inadequately repaired such that it is likely to adversely affect braking or steering (6.1.1 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 30 Jul 2023 142,770 miles

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

Fail 30 Jul 2023 142,770 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 28 Jun 2022 138,629 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2022 138,624 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 5 Jun 2021 136,657 miles

Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 4 Jun 2020 133,590 miles
Fail 30 May 2020 133,589 miles

Front Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 3 Jun 2019 131,717 miles

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

Pass 5 Jun 2018 129,209 miles
Pass 26 May 2017 126,652 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2016 124,324 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2015 122,031 miles
Pass 27 May 2014 119,146 miles
Pass 14 May 2013 116,957 miles
Pass 25 May 2012 113,672 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 24 May 2011 111,947 miles
Pass 6 May 2010 107,204 miles

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

Fail 4 May 2010 107,202 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

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

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

Pass 15 May 2009 102,858 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front prop shaft u/j slight play

gear box oil leak

Fail 11 May 2009 102,854 miles

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

Nearside Inner Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.2.B.1a) DANGEROUS

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front prop shaft u/j slight play

gear box oil leak

Pass 9 May 2008 96,592 miles
Fail 6 May 2008 96,588 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Pass 9 May 2007 91,125 miles

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

Fail 8 May 2007 91,121 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

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

Pass 5 May 2006 84,780 miles
Fail 4 May 2006 84,779 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Engine, gearbox, transfer box and front diff oil leaks.

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

C826 HDT is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 C826 HDT, 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 C826 HDT?

You can check the full history of C826 HDT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C826 HDT registered?

C826 HDT is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 1985.

Is C826 HDT safe to buy?

The MOT history for C826 HDT shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C826 HDT 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 C826 HDT. 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.