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C987 VDF

1985 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Apr 2027
Tests37 (21 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate56.8%

Mileage

59,026 mi
Last recorded59,026 miles
Recorded on15 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC987 VDF
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
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

21 pass 16 fail
Pass 15 Apr 2026 59,026 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all pipes (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Fail 15 Apr 2026 59,024 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all pipes (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front side repeater not working

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Pass 27 Mar 2025 58,495 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside side repeater not working

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 27 Mar 2025 58,495 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible covered in mud (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside side repeater not working

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

headlamps covered in mud

Pass 27 Mar 2024 58,040 miles

ALL BRAKE PIPES RUSTY

Nearside side repeater not working

steering damper bush has play

Fail 27 Mar 2024 58,038 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged pipe insecure and bent out of shape (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

ALL BRAKE PIPES RUSTY

Nearside side repeater not working

steering damper bush has play

Pass 21 Mar 2023 57,452 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush adjustment/replacement advised (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 21 Mar 2023 57,452 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush adjustment/replacement advised (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside side repeater not working

Pass 29 Mar 2022 56,872 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Pass 24 Mar 2021 56,179 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2021 56,179 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

hazzards not working

battery cable arcing out-fire hazzard

Pass 26 Mar 2020 55,553 miles

drivers door difficult to open

Fail 25 Mar 2020 55,553 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering box drop arm joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements tell tale not working (4.5.3 (a) (i))

drivers door difficult to open

Pass 25 Mar 2019 54,797 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2019 54,797 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Suspension component ball joint excessively worn A fame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 19 Mar 2018 54,173 miles

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

Front prop-rear joint badly worn

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

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

Fail 16 Mar 2018 54,173 miles

Ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Front prop-rear joint badly worn

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

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

Pass 28 Feb 2017 53,487 miles

both rear outer brake pipes have slight corrosion

both rear tyres badly perished

front prop rear u.j has play

Pass 14 Mar 2016 52,785 miles

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

Fail 4 Mar 2016 52,785 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Mar 2015 52,002 miles

nearside and offside rear tyres perrished

vehicle underside muddy

Fail 24 Feb 2015 51,995 miles

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

nearside and offside rear tyres perrished

vehicle underside muddy

Pass 11 Mar 2014 51,197 miles

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

passenger door mirror cracked

Fail 5 Mar 2014 51,193 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

passenger door mirror cracked

Pass 7 Mar 2013 50,198 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 6 Mar 2013 50,198 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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 Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 8 Mar 2012 49,148 miles
Fail 6 Mar 2012 49,148 miles

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 25 Feb 2011 48,067 miles
Fail 25 Feb 2011 48,067 miles

Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 2 Mar 2010 47,131 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2009 46,145 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2009 46,145 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

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

Rear Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 10 Mar 2008 44,976 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2008 44,966 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

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

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

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

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

rear axle ball joint badly worn

rear number plate deterioated

Pass 2 Mar 2007 43,685 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

Pass 2 Mar 2006 42,564 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

C987 VDF is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.8%.

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 C987 VDF, 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 C987 VDF?

You can check the full history of C987 VDF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C987 VDF registered?

C987 VDF is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 December 1985.

Is C987 VDF safe to buy?

The MOT history for C987 VDF shows 37 tests with a 56.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C987 VDF 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 C987 VDF. 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.