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D189 LTA

1986 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

204,599 mi
Last recorded204,599 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationD189 LTA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourGrey
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

18 pass 13 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 204,599 miles

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

oil leak but not excessive

suspension components corroded

Fail 25 Mar 2026 204,598 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

oil leak but not excessive

suspension components corroded

Pass 9 Oct 2024 203,595 miles

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

oil leak but not excessive

suspension components corroded

Pass 7 Sep 2023 197,524 miles

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

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

brake test,vehicle slightly pulls to the right

Fail 30 Aug 2023 197,520 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested badly contaminated front brake disc (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor under mat, body mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play also excessively rough (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up hub bolts missing/loose (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 31 Aug 2022 195,694 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2021 191,460 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2019 186,807 miles

Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Rear chassis (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 20 Dec 2019 186,807 miles

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

Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Rear chassis (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 11 Jan 2019 186,643 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Pass 18 Jul 2017 185,231 miles

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

SLIGHT COROSION REAR CHASSIS

Fail 3 Jul 2017 185,122 miles

Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure (3.3.B.1a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Steering column universal joint is excessively deteriorated (2.1.5)

Fail 14 Jun 2017 184,769 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Central Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 30 Jun 2016 179,751 miles

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 21 Jun 2016 179,638 miles

All position lamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 26 Jun 2015 174,750 miles

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

Fail 21 May 2015 174,649 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Fail 30 Apr 2015 174,078 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth (3.3.A.1b)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Driver's door pillar deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

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

Offside Driver's door pillar deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

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

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in an outer ball joint (2.5.B.2a)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a)

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

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 29 Apr 2013 166,330 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2012 159,280 miles
Pass 18 Mar 2011 152,840 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2010 148,448 miles

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

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

Nearside Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

o/s/r bump stop missing

Fail 18 Jan 2010 148,448 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

o/s/r bump stop missing

Pass 30 Dec 2008 145,685 miles

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

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

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

oil leak on n/s/r hub

oil leak on o/s/r hub

Propshaft component defective

Pass 20 Nov 2007 141,528 miles

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Fail 15 Nov 2007 141,466 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 21 Sep 2006 126,068 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2006 126,016 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Fail 15 Sep 2006 126,016 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Fail 7 Sep 2006 125,992 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

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

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order (not working) (1.2.4a)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Offside Front Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

o/s/r bump stop missing

Pass 2 Sep 2005 121,000 miles

REAR DIFF NOISY

oil leak

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

D189 LTA is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

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 D189 LTA, 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 D189 LTA?

You can check the full history of D189 LTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D189 LTA registered?

D189 LTA is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 7 November 1986.

Is D189 LTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for D189 LTA shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D189 LTA 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 D189 LTA. 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.