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C972 BTA

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 May 2027
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

124,181 mi
Last recorded124,181 miles
Recorded on21 Apr 2026
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC972 BTA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
ColourGreen
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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 21 Apr 2026 124,181 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Apr 2025 121,589 miles

Nearside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 9 May 2024 118,922 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2023 115,565 miles
Fail 13 Apr 2023 115,547 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting insecure (5.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame ball joint excessively worn a frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Pass 21 Apr 2022 113,274 miles

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

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

Pass 11 May 2021 107,628 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 12 May 2020 102,225 miles
Pass 30 Jan 2019 132,973 miles

Horn not working properly (7.7 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

cooling fan not conected

parking brake poor

Fail 30 Jan 2019 132,973 miles

Horn not working properly (7.7 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

cooling fan not conected

parking brake poor

Pass 28 Dec 2017 130,163 miles

Exhaust knocking badly

Oil leak ()

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Rear 1/4 chassis (2.4.A.3)

injector blow

n/s/r reflector loose

washers poor

Pass 17 Oct 2013 129,774 miles

Floor pan in a rusted condtion

Offside front outer tractor seal leaking

Oil leak

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

Fail 8 Oct 2013 129,757 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

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

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

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

Emissions: Exhaust Emits Blue Smoke

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fuel Tank Damp

N/S/F Body Mount Excessively Corroded

N/S/F Footwell Corroded

N/S/R Brake Drum Damp (Possible Leak)

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

O/S/F Footwell Corroded

O/S/F Swivil Leaking

Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front engine mounting deteriorated, but not resulting in excessive movement (6.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

Possible Power Steering Leak

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Steering Damper Bush Has Slight Play

Pass 10 Oct 2012 128,944 miles

Front Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Offside front tractor seal leaking

Oil leak

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

Fail 6 Oct 2012 128,944 miles

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Front Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Offside front tractor seal leaking

Oil leak

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

Pass 18 Nov 2011 128,224 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 14 Nov 2011 128,202 miles

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

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

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 2 Dec 2010 127,161 miles

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

nearside rear brake slightly binding

Pass 2 Dec 2010 127,161 miles

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

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

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

nearside rear brake slightly binding

Fail 10 Jun 2010 127,127 miles

Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Fail 11 May 2009 127,002 miles

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

Pass 11 May 2009 127,002 miles
Pass 8 May 2008 126,765 miles
Fail 2 May 2008 126,765 miles

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

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

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Position lamp switch faulty (1.1.A.1)

Pass 2 May 2007 126,350 miles
Fail 24 Apr 2007 126,350 miles

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

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

Offside Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means (7.2.4b)

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

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

Pass 5 May 2006 126,087 miles
Fail 3 May 2006 126,087 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

both front suspension bolts loose

both rear tyres wearing low and cracking on sidewalls

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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C972 BTA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 C972 BTA, 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 C972 BTA?

You can check the full history of C972 BTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C972 BTA registered?

C972 BTA is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1985.

Is C972 BTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C972 BTA shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C972 BTA 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 C972 BTA. 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.