CarVerify

Free Car Check

D1 GBV

1997 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jan 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

180,289 mi
Last recorded180,289 miles
Recorded on13 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationD1 GBV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 13 Jan 2026 180,289 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Pass 17 Jan 2025 179,690 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Pass 11 Jan 2024 179,183 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2023 178,273 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2022 177,301 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2021 177,286 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt A Frame (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Body mounting points corroded

Bottom of all doors corroded

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Sep 2020 176,155 miles

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

Chassis rusting

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A Frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Sep 2020 176,155 miles

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

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

Chassis rusting

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A Frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Sep 2019 174,475 miles

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A Frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear chassis rusting

Fail 3 Sep 2019 174,465 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength shock absorber turret (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

Trailer electrical socket likely to become detached (4.10 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A Frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear chassis rusting

Pass 13 Sep 2018 173,363 miles

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

Offside Front body mount corroded but not excessive

Fail 11 Sep 2018 173,363 miles

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

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

Offside Front body mount corroded but not excessive

Pass 22 Sep 2017 170,786 miles

Corrosion started to chassis in several places including, BOTH Front chassis rails, By BOTH rear top shock mounts

Offside sill/ "U" channel corroding

Play in Nearside front wheel bearing

Fail 19 Sep 2017 170,786 miles

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Corrosion started to chassis in several places including, BOTH Front chassis rails, By BOTH rear top shock mounts

Offside sill/ "U" channel corroding

Play in Nearside front wheel bearing

Rear exhaust corroded, and mounting missing

Pass 23 Aug 2016 169,420 miles

Play nearside front wheel bearing

Play offside rear anti roll bar centre bush

Rear exhaust corroding and has a minor leak

Rear exhaust rubber broken

Various corrosion under vehicle

Fail 22 Aug 2016 169,420 miles

Nearside Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Play nearside front wheel bearing

Play offside rear anti roll bar centre bush

Rear exhaust corroding and has a minor leak

Rear exhaust rubber broken

Various corrosion under vehicle

Pass 25 Aug 2015 167,007 miles

Corrosion to Both outer floor/sill channels

Corrosion to Both rear chassis rails

Corrosion to both rear top coil spring mountings

Offside rear anti-roll bar mounting bush worn

Rear bump stops missing

corrosion by rear body mounts

Pass 27 Aug 2014 161,965 miles

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

Fail 21 Aug 2014 161,965 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

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

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

Pass 30 Jul 2013 159,032 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2012 155,059 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Fail 17 Aug 2012 155,040 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 17 Aug 2011 151,906 miles

slight leak on centre exhaust section and system is generally very rusty

Fail 17 Aug 2011 151,906 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

both front indicator lenses are white around edges

slight leak on centre exhaust section and system is generally very rusty

Pass 16 Aug 2010 148,008 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

both propshafts have a worn universal joint

both rear tyres have 4mm of tread left

nearside rear seat belt is marked by the door catch

Fail 21 Aug 2009 143,751 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 21 Aug 2009 143,751 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 27 Jul 2009 143,459 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 19 Aug 2008 139,763 miles

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

slight deterioration to rear number plate

slight fluffing to nearside centre seat belt

slight play in drop arm ball joint

some corrosion to inner edge of rear crossmember

Fail 19 Aug 2008 139,763 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

slight deterioration to rear number plate

slight fluffing to nearside centre seat belt

slight play in drop arm ball joint

some corrosion to inner edge of rear crossmember

Pass 8 Aug 2007 135,332 miles
Fail 7 Aug 2007 135,332 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

steering damper has slight play in rubber bush

Pass 16 Aug 2006 129,995 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

chassis a bit tatty

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

D1 GBV is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.5% with a typical mileage of 117,879 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 D1 GBV, 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 29 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of D1 GBV?

You can check the full history of D1 GBV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D1 GBV registered?

D1 GBV is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 August 1997.

Is D1 GBV safe to buy?

The MOT history for D1 GBV shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D1 GBV 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 D1 GBV. 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.