CarVerify

Free Car Check

D23 EFF

1997 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Apr 2027
Tests19 (12 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate63.2%

Mileage

205,720 mi
Last recorded205,720 miles
Recorded on9 Apr 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

RegistrationD23 EFF
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

12 pass 7 fail
Pass 9 Apr 2026 205,720 miles

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 13 Mar 2025 202,054 miles

under vehicle covered by substance

Fail 13 Mar 2025 202,054 miles

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

under vehicle covered by substance

Fail 22 Dec 2016 201,978 miles

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Offside Rear Direction indicator excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

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

Front Propshaft universal joint worn at gearbox end ()

Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Rear Propshaft universal joint worn at diff end ()

Pass 24 Dec 2015 197,985 miles

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

Nearside Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 14 Dec 2015 197,985 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported tail pipe missing (7.1.1)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Nearside Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 8 Oct 2014 195,391 miles

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

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

Offside Inner Front Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Fail 8 Oct 2014 195,391 miles

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

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

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

Offside Inner Front Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Pass 30 Aug 2013 189,137 miles
Pass 14 May 2013 186,889 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

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

rear chassis elbow slighty corroded

Pass 24 May 2012 174,831 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

centre seat x member corroded firm to finger pressure

corrosion to drivers foot well repaired from inside vehicle

rear exhaust section degraded

rear x member corroded firm to finger pressure

Pass 2 Jun 2011 162,520 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

rear discs worn

rear x member patched multiple times

Fail 1 Jun 2011 162,519 miles

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

rear discs worn

rear x member patched multiple times

Pass 1 Dec 2009 146,307 miles
Fail 26 Nov 2009 146,307 miles

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

Pass 3 Dec 2008 133,411 miles

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

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

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

Fail 2 Dec 2008 133,411 miles

Centre Rear Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Pass 12 Nov 2007 118,200 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2006 109,240 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

D23 EFF is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.2%.

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 D23 EFF, 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 D23 EFF?

You can check the full history of D23 EFF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D23 EFF registered?

D23 EFF is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is D23 EFF safe to buy?

The MOT history for D23 EFF shows 19 tests with a 63.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D23 EFF 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 D23 EFF. 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.