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C997 SAY

1985 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Dec 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

232,005 mi
Last recorded232,005 miles
Recorded on9 Dec 2025
Typical for 1985 Land Rover Defender122,807 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC997 SAY
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1985
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 9 Dec 2025 232,005 miles

Coil spring corroded All 4 Springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively corrosion on inner face of disc (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Oil leak from steering box

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Dec 2025 231,899 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Coil spring corroded All 4 Springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively corrosion on inner face of disc (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Oil leak from steering box

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Nov 2024 224,859 miles

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin Obvious uneven brake pad wear on front axle but no obvious bind at the time of test (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play front steering arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe part insecure

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres fitted at the time of test (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 4 Dec 2023 216,508 miles

Coil spring corroded All 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 13 Dec 2022 208,956 miles

Offside rear tyre worn inner edge

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

Pass 20 Nov 2021 199,499 miles

Both front track rod ends covered in grease

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Front number plate in windscreen

Nearside Rear brake disc back plate loose

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Nov 2020 191,613 miles

Advance movement n/s/f tractor joint

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Heavy dampness around both front tractor joints

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

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

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

fuel tank seam corroded

rear floor corroded

Fail 26 Nov 2020 191,585 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Advance movement n/s/f tractor joint

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Heavy dampness around both front tractor joints

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

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

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

fuel tank seam corroded

rear floor corroded

Pass 2 Dec 2019 185,463 miles

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Heavy dampness around o/s/f hub /tractor joint

Nearside Stop lamp(s) lens defective which has no effect on emitted light discoloured (4.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

fuel tank seam corroded - damp

rear cross members corroded

Fail 21 Nov 2019 185,209 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc contaminated inner hub seal damp (1.1.14 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) contaminated inner hub seal damp (1.1.13 (b))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) lens defective which has no effect on emitted light discoloured (4.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

fuel tank seam corroded - damp

rear cross members corroded

Pass 3 Dec 2018 173,408 miles

Central Rear floor cross member corroded

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

Fail 29 Nov 2018 173,318 miles

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

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

Central Rear floor cross member corroded

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

Pass 29 Nov 2017 167,919 miles

Offside steering idler bush worn

Oil leak ()

Pass 28 Nov 2016 162,356 miles

Body has slight corrosion rear bracket on fool pan (6.1.B.2)

Pass 23 Nov 2015 154,162 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2015 153,979 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute and rear (1.4.A.2g)

Offside Front Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute and rear (1.4.A.2g)

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 4 Dec 2014 147,440 miles

Nearside wiper blade's deteriating.

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

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 4 Dec 2014 147,440 miles

Nearside wiper blade's deteriating.

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

Rear Brake rod insecure (3.5.1d)

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 14 Jan 2014 144,938 miles

Front diff flange is loose on the pinnion shaft.

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 9 Jan 2014 144,938 miles

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

Lower Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot(s) retaining device missing (3.1.4b)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Panhard rod attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Front diff flange is loose on the pinnion shaft.

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Jan 2013 142,973 miles

Lower steering column bearing has a fair amount of play.

Fail 5 Jan 2013 142,973 miles

Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

Offside Drag link end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Both front side lights are quite bright.

Lower steering column bearing has a fair amount of play.

Pass 10 Jan 2012 141,083 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2010

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

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

front brake discs slightly pitted

slight underbody corrosion

wax oiled underbody

Pass 19 Jul 2007 140,558 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2007 140,558 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm attachment bracket/mounting cracked (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2006 133,905 miles
Fail 10 Jul 2006 133,905 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

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

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

rear prop shaft rear u/j badly worn

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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C997 SAY is a 1985 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 C997 SAY, 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 C997 SAY?

You can check the full history of C997 SAY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C997 SAY registered?

C997 SAY is a 1985 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1985.

Is C997 SAY safe to buy?

The MOT history for C997 SAY shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C997 SAY 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 C997 SAY. 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.