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C98 JKH

1986 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 May 2027
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

135,567 mi
Last recorded135,567 miles
Recorded on8 May 2026
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC98 JKH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourGreen
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

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 8 May 2026 135,567 miles

Hand brake travel high recommend adjustment

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced General corrosion to under side of vehicle (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 7 May 2026 135,561 miles

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

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

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Fuel system component leaking Lift pump on engine block (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Hand brake travel high recommend adjustment

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced General corrosion to under side of vehicle (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 11 Apr 2025 251,455 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A frame ball joint dust cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Under side of vehicle corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 10 Apr 2025 251,455 miles

Fuel system component leaking Leaking from fuel pump area (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A frame ball joint dust cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Under side of vehicle corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Mar 2024 247,948 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 7 Nov 2022 247,645 miles

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

Pass 24 Sep 2021 244,697 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2021 244,697 miles

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

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

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 17 Jun 2020 239,454 miles

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

Fail 16 Jun 2020 239,454 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play pitman joint baljoint (2.2.2 (c))

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

Pass 7 Aug 2019 234,429 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Rear Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

Fail 2 Aug 2019 234,429 miles

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 22 Feb 2018 233,757 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

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

Fail 7 Feb 2018 233,755 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

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

air filter insecure

Pass 31 Jan 2017 233,089 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Jan 2016 232,836 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Dec 2014 231,412 miles

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

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

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

Fail 30 Dec 2014 231,412 miles

Centre Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Dec 2013 229,413 miles
Fail 27 Dec 2013 229,413 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 4 Aug 2012 223,260 miles

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

Fail 4 Aug 2012 223,260 miles

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

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

Pass 10 May 2011 218,127 miles
Fail 9 May 2011 218,127 miles

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d)

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

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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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.

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C98 JKH is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 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 C98 JKH, 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 C98 JKH?

You can check the full history of C98 JKH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C98 JKH registered?

C98 JKH is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1986.

Is C98 JKH safe to buy?

The MOT history for C98 JKH shows 24 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 C98 JKH 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 C98 JKH. 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.