CarVerify

Free Car Check

C85 JKH

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Aug 2026
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

52,756 mi
Last recorded52,756 miles
Recorded on13 Aug 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

RegistrationC85 JKH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGreen
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

15 pass 9 fail
Pass 13 Aug 2025 52,756 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated corroded (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play at steering box arm link ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced under wheel arch area but not in any prescribed areas (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorber area holed on Chassis but not considered a supporting panel

Nearside Rear brake drum appears wet - further inspection required

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated corroded (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorber area holed on Chassis but not considered a supporting panel

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 12 Aug 2024 50,598 miles

Nearside Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive Hub seal slight leak. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Casing is corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine oil leak. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis corroded but nothing structural. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 9 Aug 2024 50,582 miles

Power steering pipe/hose leaking Steering pipe leaking where it connects to pump. (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive Hub seal slight leak. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Casing is corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine oil leak. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis corroded but nothing structural. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Apr 2023 47,416 miles

Chassis has corrosion evident throughout

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

Pass 8 Apr 2022 46,612 miles

Chassis showing signs of corrosion

Fail 7 Apr 2022 46,580 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Front Drive shaft joint excessively worn Propshaft U/J (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Rear Drive shaft joint excessively worn Prop shaft U/J (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Chassis showing signs of corrosion

Pass 25 Mar 2021 44,812 miles

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

n/s seat box corroded

Fail 24 Mar 2021 44,812 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Suspension component corroded and seriously weakened turret (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Seat belt not functioning as intended drivers (7.1.2 (c))

Service brake lagging in operation spongy (1.2.1 (d))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and wipers not checked (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

n/s seat box corroded

Fail 14 Oct 2020 44,775 miles

Emissions not tested engine miss firing and emitting smoke (8.2.2.2 (e))

Headlamp not working on dipped beam switch missing (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements switch missing (4.2.2 (a))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn universal joint play (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre has ply or cords exposed cut in side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front oil leaking from hub

Pass 20 May 2019 40,483 miles
Fail 7 May 2019 40,481 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Driver's door catch insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively driver wiper arm not moving properly (3.4 (b) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering arm on steering box, ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 4 May 2018 36,828 miles
Fail 2 May 2018 36,827 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel tyre retaining ring fractured (4.2.B.1b)

Pass 9 May 2017 3,283 miles
Fail 8 May 2017 32,883 miles

Emissions not tested canot insert probe (7.3.A.1)

Offside Lower Emissions not tested cannot insert probe (7.3.A.1)

Pass 10 May 2016 32,836 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint axle swival (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint axle swival (2.5.A.1c)

Fail 15 May 2015 32,130 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

o/s front swival oil leak

Pass 15 May 2015 32,130 miles

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

o/s front swival oil leak

Pass 8 May 2014 17,472 miles
Fail 7 May 2014 17,470 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 15 May 2013 11,819 miles
Pass 5 May 2012 6,021 miles
Pass 4 May 2011 11 miles
Pass 18 May 2010 11 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

C85 JKH is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 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 C85 JKH, 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 C85 JKH?

You can check the full history of C85 JKH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C85 JKH registered?

C85 JKH is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1985.

Is C85 JKH safe to buy?

The MOT history for C85 JKH shows 24 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 C85 JKH 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 C85 JKH. 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.