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C897 NWV

1985 Land Rover Defender

Black Petrol 3528cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Jun 2027
Tests39 (19 pass, 20 fail)
Pass rate48.7%

Mileage

196,740 mi
Last recorded196,740 miles
Recorded on1 Jun 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC897 NWV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,528cc

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 20 fail
Pass 1 Jun 2026 196,740 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine and gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 27 May 2026 196,648 miles

Nearside Rear Brake drum contaminated oil (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Rear Brake drum contaminated oil (1.1.14 (b))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine and gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2025 195,396 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive Front differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Reverse light not working

Fail 27 May 2025 195,326 miles

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt A frame joint dust cover (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Front (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Torsion bar insecure at an end fixing (5.3.1 (a) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Front differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Reverse light not working

Pass 14 Jun 2024 194,301 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2024 194,250 miles

Exhaust system insecure all exhaust mountings unsuitable (6.1.2 (a))

Main beam tell-tale missing ADVISTORY ONLY (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Floor excessively deteriorated footwell area corroded and holed (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Offside Steering arm modification unsafe drop arm on steering box retaining nut loose, excessive movement (2.1.3 (f) (i))

Power steering component leaking STEERING BOX AREA (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn rear prop shaft splines excessive play (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the body is impaired crossmember tow bar area (6.2.2 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering cross member tow bar area (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside speedo cable fouling exhaust

Offside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2023 191,680 miles

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

Main beam tell-tale not working .

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

Nearside Front Upper Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Axle hub damp

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Gearbox cross member bolt loose

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

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

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

Fail 30 May 2023 191,670 miles

Nearside Front Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (drop arm ball joint) (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt track rod end (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Steering locking device ineffective Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (d))

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Main beam tell-tale not working .

Nearside Front Upper Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Axle hub damp

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Gearbox cross member bolt loose

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Mar 2022 188,605 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2022 188,596 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 8 Dec 2020 183,721 miles

Main beam, beam warning light inoperative

Nearside Drag link ball joint lock nut split pin missing

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Fail 3 Dec 2020 183,708 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Main beam, beam warning light inoperative

Nearside Drag link ball joint lock nut split pin missing

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Fail 11 Nov 2020 183,706 miles

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front 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 front diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured both (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

main beam beam warning light inoperative

n/s drag link ball joint lock nut split pin missing

o/s seat belt damaged

Fail 6 Nov 2020 183,697 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Speedometer cannot be illuminated (7.8 (c) (ii))

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

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front 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 front diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured both (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

main beam beam warning light inoperative

n/s drag link ball joint lock nut split pin missing

o/s seat belt damaged

Pass 30 Apr 2019 180,713 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced passenger foot well has hole in floor(body) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outer oil leak from front diff seal

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

engine oil leak

engine tick over appears too high

excessive handbrake travel

service brake has free play & needs attention

Fail 17 Apr 2019 180,571 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) contaminated brake pads and brake disc contaminated wit diff oil (1.1.13 (b))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working switch sticking tell tale light working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Parking brake operation is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside low effort recorded (1.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced passenger foot well has hole in floor(body) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outer oil leak from front diff seal

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

engine oil leak

excessive handbrake travel

Pass 21 Apr 2018 174,620 miles

Nearside Front Floor corroded but not within 30cm of any prescribed area

Offside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Oil leak

Fail 21 Apr 2018 174,615 miles

Offside Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Nearside Front Floor corroded but not within 30cm of any prescribed area

Offside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Oil leak

Pass 3 Apr 2017 174,346 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2017 174,337 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Rear Propshaft flange bolt(s) loose/missing Slider to far out

Pass 3 Dec 2015 171,987 miles

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

nearside rear tyre perished slightly

Fail 28 Nov 2015 171,982 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Fail 13 Nov 2015 171,984 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

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

Pass 14 Nov 2014 169,657 miles
Fail 11 Nov 2014 169,655 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

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

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

Pass 18 Feb 2014 169,636 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 5 Feb 2013 169,055 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2013 169,045 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 15 Mar 2012 169,057 miles

electrical wireing insecure around steering coupling

n/s spot light not working

oil leaks

Fail 14 Mar 2012 169,055 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

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

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

electrical wireing insecure around steering coupling

n/s spot light not working

oil leaks

Pass 22 Feb 2011 168,964 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2011 168,963 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

windsceen covered in over spray

Fail 20 Feb 2010 168,601 miles

Headlamp main beam warning lamp not working

Nearside Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Oil leak

Spare tyre defective

slight damage to nearside front tyre

Pass 20 Feb 2010 168,601 miles

Headlamp main beam warning lamp not working

Oil leak

Spare tyre defective

slight damage to nearside front tyre

Fail 1 Feb 2010 168,600 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Fuel system component insecure (7.2.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1) DANGEROUS

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b) DANGEROUS

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

Headlamp main beam warning lamp not working

Oil leak

Spare tyre defective

slight damage to nearside front tyre

Propshaft component defective

Pass 23 Jan 2009 168,541 miles
Pass 12 May 2007 168,535 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2006 168,492 miles

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

Rear mudguard insecure

n/s/r bulkhead split advise

Fail 8 Sep 2006 168,486 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

Offside Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1) DANGEROUS

Front axle seal leaking

Offside rear hub seal leaking

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

C897 NWV is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 3,528cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 39 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 48.7%.

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 C897 NWV, 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 C897 NWV?

You can check the full history of C897 NWV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C897 NWV registered?

C897 NWV is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 December 1985.

Is C897 NWV safe to buy?

The MOT history for C897 NWV shows 39 tests with a 48.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C897 NWV 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 C897 NWV. 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.