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C85 SPG

1986 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Dec 2026
Tests30 (16 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate53.3%

Mileage

213,543 mi
Last recorded213,543 miles
Recorded on15 Dec 2025
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC85 SPG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourGrey
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

16 pass 14 fail
Pass 15 Dec 2025 213,543 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Both (5.2.3 (e))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel pitman arm on shaft (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Dec 2025 213,542 miles

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

Offside Rear Drive shaft securing bolt missing (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired preload bearings (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Both (5.2.3 (e))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel pitman arm on shaft (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Oct 2024 211,007 miles

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

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

centre body support corroded and holed

main beam tell tale inoperative

nearside front floor corroded and holed

nearside front outrigger corroded and holed

offside front floor corroded and holed

offside rear outrigger corroded and holed

steering box drop arm ball joint has play

Fail 9 Oct 2024 210,971 miles

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

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working Does not stay on (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

centre body support corroded and holed

main beam tell tale inoperative

nearside front floor corroded and holed

nearside front outrigger corroded and holed

offside front floor corroded and holed

offside rear outrigger corroded and holed

steering box drop arm ball joint has play

Pass 13 Oct 2023 208,704 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive STEERING BOX (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Sep 2023 208,699 miles

Front Oil leaking excessively from transmission HUB SEALS BOTH (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive STEERING BOX (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Aug 2022 203,800 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive diff & transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front door A pillar corroded & holed, not prescribed

Nearside Front floor corroded, appears to be repaired from inside

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

Offside Front floor repaired from inside & outside

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 28% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

centre body support corroded & holed

hazard tell-tale inop with ignition off

nearside & centre bulkhead corroded & holed, not prescribed area

Fail 15 Jul 2022 203,757 miles

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

Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated footwell, under carpet - visible from underneath (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

Front Oil leak, but not excessive diff & transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front door A pillar corroded & holed, not prescribed

Nearside Front floor corroded, appears to be repaired from inside

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

centre body support corroded & holed

hazard tell tale inop with ignition off

nearside & centre bulkhead heavily corroded & holed, not prescribed area

Pass 22 Jul 2021 201,210 miles

CHASSIS CORRODED BUT FRESHLY UNDER SEALED.

Oil leak, but not excessive O/S AND N/S FRONT SWIVEL HOUSING. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced N/S FRONT SPRING TOP MOUNTING CORRODED (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 20 Jul 2021 201,206 miles

Direction indicator not working O/S FRONT. (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

CHASSIS CORRODED BUT FRESHLY UNDER SEALED.

Oil leak, but not excessive O/S AND N/S FRONT SWIVEL HOUSING. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced N/S FRONT SPRING TOP MOUNTING CORRODED (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 30 Dec 2018 201,133 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting repair covered in underseal (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both rear on axle (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Door check strap mount area on bulk head corroded

Nearside Front Outer Body out rigger badly corroded/ holed

Nearside Rear Outer Body out rigger badly corroded/ holed

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement On chassis (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer side of chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Swivel housing has slight play in upper pinion

Offside Front Swivel housing oil seal leaking

Offside Rear Outer Body out rigger badly corroded/ holed

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer side of chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive from transfer box and front diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both rear upper bush's (5.3.2 (c))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides radius arm bush's on axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 16 Dec 2018 201,131 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Radius arm mount underside of chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected Radius arm mount underside of chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected Underside of chassis rail holed (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both rear on axle (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Door check strap mount area on bulk head corroded

Nearside Front Outer Body out rigger badly corroded/ holed

Nearside Rear Outer Body out rigger badly corroded/ holed

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement On chassis (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer side of chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Swivel housing has slight play in upper pinion

Offside Front Swivel housing oil seal leaking

Offside Rear Outer Body out rigger badly corroded/ holed

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer side of chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive from transfer box and front diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both rear upper bush's (5.3.2 (c))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides radius arm bush's on axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 10 Dec 2017 200,340 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer chassis rail (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded On axle (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Hub seal leaking slightly

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 22 Jan 2017 197,357 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded Both rear on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush both bush's on axle (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush both bush's on axle (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer chassis rail inside inner arch (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Outer hub seal leaking

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 22 Jan 2017 197,357 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded Both rear on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush both bush's on axle (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush both bush's on axle (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer chassis rail inside inner arch (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Outer hub seal leaking

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Rear fog lamp not working switch contacts (1.3.2b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 16 Jan 2016 194,661 miles

Body has slight corrosion on lower of bulk head both sides foot wells (sealant on offside lower corner) (6.1.B.2)

Chassis rails corroded both sides front to rear

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at rear (7.1.2)

Front diff pinion bearing has play also leaking oil

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

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

Nearside Rear tyre has small cracks in tread patten

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion outrigger (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front tyre has small cracks in tread patten

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

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

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

engine oil leak

Pass 19 Jan 2015 193,570 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2015 193,570 miles

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 14 Jan 2014 193,096 miles

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

Pass 7 Jul 2010 193,016 miles

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

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

Offside Front Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Fail 27 Jun 2010 192,991 miles

Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Front Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 29 Jun 2009 192,153 miles

Oil leak

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Fail 16 Jun 2009 192,153 miles

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Oil leak

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 17 Jun 2008 191,601 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Fail 16 Jun 2008 191,601 miles

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Fail 7 May 2008 191,535 miles

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

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

Nearside Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Rear reflector slightly deteriorated but function not impaired (1.5.1c)

Offside Rear Rear reflector obscured but not more than 50% (1.5.1b)

Fail 10 Jan 2008 191,479 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 13 Jan 2007 189,787 miles
Fail 12 Jan 2007 189,787 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

oil level on minimum

Pass 10 Jan 2006 187,256 miles

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

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 SPG is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.3%.

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 C85 SPG, 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 C85 SPG?

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

What year was C85 SPG registered?

C85 SPG is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 January 1986.

Is C85 SPG safe to buy?

The MOT history for C85 SPG shows 30 tests with a 53.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C85 SPG 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 SPG. 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.