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D166 DBJ

1987 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Feb 2027
Tests30 (16 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate53.3%

Mileage

143,823 mi
Last recorded143,823 miles
Recorded on13 Feb 2026
Typical for 1987 Land Rover Defender131,673 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationD166 DBJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1987
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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

16 pass 14 fail
Pass 13 Feb 2026 143,823 miles

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

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

Fail 6 Feb 2026 143,805 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front 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 19 Feb 2025 143,408 miles
Fail 30 Sep 2024 143,407 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Power steering fluid reservoir empty (2.1.5 (b) (ii))

Power steering malfunctioning (2.1.5 (a))

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

Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Intermediate drop arm modified such that the steering is adversely affected (2.1.3 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 1 Sep 2023 143,156 miles

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

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both rears (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 30 Aug 2023 108,694 miles

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

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn pin missing from catle nut (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both rears (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 7 Dec 2022 143,156 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (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 Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from transmission front to rear (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering fluid reservoir empty (2.1.5 (b) (ii))

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

Steering arm deformed (2.1.3 (c) (i))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Fail 11 Oct 2019 143,143 miles

Fuel system component leaking off side engine area (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Body component damaged and likely to cause injury step (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn stableizer bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting rear cross member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Nearside Front Front passenger door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber top mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end 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 8 Nov 2018 143,027 miles

Nearside Front Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Other passenger door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 18 Oct 2018 143,015 miles

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

Nearside Front Front passenger door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Other passenger door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end 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))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 13 Oct 2017 142,384 miles

Nearside Rear door outer handle broken

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt connects to steering box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

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

drivers door pillar corroded/not effecting door operation

noted slight fuel seepage from pump

Pass 20 Oct 2016 140,905 miles

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed corrosion (6.2.B.2)

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt connects to steering box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

engine oil level low

slight seepage from fuel pump

Fail 14 Oct 2016 140,891 miles

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Power steering pump drive system defective belt loose (2.3.6)

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

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

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed corrosion (6.2.B.2)

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt connects to steering box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

engine oil level low

slight seepage from fuel pump

Pass 15 Oct 2015 140,346 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

oil leak

Pass 6 Oct 2014 139,752 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Oil leak

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 5 Aug 2014 139,729 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Oil leak

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 5 Aug 2013 139,327 miles

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 5 Aug 2013 139,327 miles

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 4 Aug 2012 138,948 miles

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

Pass 10 Aug 2011 138,433 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 5 Aug 2011 138,432 miles

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Pass 25 Mar 2010 138,226 miles
Fail 25 Mar 2010 138,226 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 2 Apr 2009 137,472 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2009 137,466 miles

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside inner track rod end joint cover split/missing

Pass 13 Jun 2008 136,984 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2008 136,984 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

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

Pass 4 Jun 2007 135,517 miles
Fail 18 May 2007 135,515 miles

Nearside Front Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

engine oil leaks

Pass 6 May 2006 135,409 miles

n/s/r shock absorver top mount poor condition

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

D166 DBJ is a 1987 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.3%.

Across all 1987 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.3% with a typical mileage of 131,673 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 D166 DBJ, 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 39 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 D166 DBJ?

You can check the full history of D166 DBJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D166 DBJ registered?

D166 DBJ is a 1987 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 22 June 1987.

Is D166 DBJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for D166 DBJ shows 30 tests with a 53.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D166 DBJ 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 D166 DBJ. 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.