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C974 YFX

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Apr 2027
Tests36 (21 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

129,686 mi
Last recorded129,686 miles
Recorded on13 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

RegistrationC974 YFX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBlue
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

21 pass 15 fail
Pass 13 Apr 2026 129,686 miles

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

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

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

Fail 31 Mar 2026 129,667 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2025 125,491 miles

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

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

Central Oil leak, but not excessive Gearbox / transfer box area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Hub has minor leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Mar 2025 125,430 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Central Oil leak, but not excessive Gearbox / transfer box area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Hub has minor leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Mar 2024 121,246 miles

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 30 Mar 2023 120,634 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 Mar 2023 120,621 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 Dec 2022 120,560 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Axle king pin is loose in the axle beam (5.1.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2021 120,253 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2021 120,251 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced near front arm (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced near bump stop (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced near front arm (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2020 119,907 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2020 119,906 miles

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

Pass 12 Dec 2019 119,745 miles
Pass 11 Dec 2018 119,612 miles

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

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

Fail 7 Dec 2018 119,612 miles

Central Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength cross member (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fuel system component leaking excessively or a risk of fire injector pump (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2017 119,378 miles
Fail 13 Dec 2017 119,377 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Dec 2016 119,187 miles

Nearside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

Offside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Fail 14 Dec 2016 119,187 miles

Nearside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

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

Offside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

Pass 11 Dec 2015 118,929 miles

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

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Pass 24 Dec 2014 117,938 miles

Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Fail 18 Dec 2014 117,936 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

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

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

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

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

front brake pads deteriorated

Pass 18 Dec 2013 117,341 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Dec 2013 117,330 miles

Centre Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2012 116,425 miles

near side front brake disc scored

Fail 14 Dec 2012 116,425 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

near side front brake disc scored

Pass 9 Dec 2011 115,924 miles

Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 14 Dec 2010 114,925 miles

front axle bush's starting to displace

Fail 14 Dec 2010 114,925 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Power steering pump leaking from a failed component (2.3.3b)

front axle bush's starting to displace

Pass 21 Dec 2009 113,649 miles
Fail 17 Dec 2009 113,638 miles

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 11 Dec 2008 111,195 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2008 111,165 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing (7.2.4c)

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

Pass 11 Dec 2007 109,485 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

Pass 5 Jan 2007 108,714 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 3 Jan 2006 108,463 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

C974 YFX is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

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 C974 YFX, 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 C974 YFX?

You can check the full history of C974 YFX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C974 YFX registered?

C974 YFX is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 2 January 1986.

Is C974 YFX safe to buy?

The MOT history for C974 YFX shows 36 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C974 YFX 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 C974 YFX. 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.