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C898 BEL

1986 Land Rover Defender

Cream Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

117,526 mi
Last recorded117,526 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC898 BEL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourCream
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 13 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 117,526 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 2 Apr 2026 117,524 miles

Fuel system component leaking on fuel filter housing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Steering component modified such that the steering is adversely affected not much turn on left hand turn (2.1.3 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 7 Dec 2023 117,491 miles

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Vehicle structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

vehicle has very little lock to lock steering

Fail 5 Jul 2023 117,464 miles

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

Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust system insecure 2 mounts defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting body to chassis mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn front trailing arm rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Central Rear Vehicle structure is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached 6 individual holes all within 30 cm of structure (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both front (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both front (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front swivel ball to axle misting oil both front

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

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 21 Jun 2022 115,718 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2022 115,718 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

park brake binding

Pass 1 Jun 2021 114,707 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2020 114,283 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2018 114,015 miles

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

Underside + components corroded in places

Fail 27 Sep 2018 114,005 miles

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

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

Underside + components corroded in places

Fail 1 Aug 2018 113,990 miles

Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective Wont open (3.1 (c))

Central Front Registration plate insecure Damaged (0.1 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Has hole in chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box boot (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Body mountings rotten

Nearside Front Door rotten bottom of the door

Nearside Front track rod end boot perished

Offside Front Body mounting rotten

Offside Front Door rotten bottom of the door

Offside Front track rod end boot perished

Offside Rear Drum has fluid around it

Oil leak

Nearside Rear Half shaft leaking

Pass 2 Aug 2017 113,334 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

rear cross-member corroded

Pass 22 Jul 2016 112,505 miles

Nearside Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

front coil springs corroded

underbody condition corroded

Fail 20 Jul 2016 112,505 miles

Nearside Front Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings floor (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings floor (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Nearside Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

front coil springs corroded

underbody condition corroded

Pass 27 Mar 2015 109,881 miles

all coil springs corroded

undersided of vechile corroded

Fail 25 Mar 2015 109,872 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

all coil springs corroded

undersided of vechile corroded

Fail 30 Apr 2014 109,306 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Pass 30 Apr 2014 109,306 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2012 108,590 miles

battery tray corroded /holed

o/s/f steering ball joint dust cover starting to perrish

rear exhaust rusting

Fail 12 Nov 2012 108,590 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

battery tray corroded /holed

o/s/f steering ball joint dust cover starting to perrish

rear exhaust rusting

Pass 21 Sep 2011 106,061 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2010 104,007 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2009 100,554 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

corrosion under battery tray

offside & nearside body mountings under front floorpans corroded.

rear axle casing corroded

Fail 24 Sep 2009 100,554 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

corrosion under battery tray

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

offside & nearside body mountings under front floorpans corroded.

rear axle casing corroded

Pass 19 Sep 2008 98,916 miles

corrsion to n/s floor, battery tray.

Fail 15 Sep 2008 98,912 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

corrsion to n/s floor, battery tray.

Pass 28 Sep 2007 95,582 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Nearside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

floor corroded under battery

Fail 19 Sep 2007 95,582 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Nearside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

floor corroded under battery

Pass 19 Sep 2006 91,213 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

corrosion to o/s/f body mounting not rendering body insecure

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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C898 BEL is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Cream with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

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 C898 BEL, 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 C898 BEL?

You can check the full history of C898 BEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C898 BEL registered?

C898 BEL is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 May 1986.

Is C898 BEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for C898 BEL shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C898 BEL 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 C898 BEL. 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.