CarVerify

Free Car Check

D494 RAM

1986 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Apr 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

65,535 mi
Last recorded65,535 miles
Recorded on4 Apr 2026
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

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

RegistrationD494 RAM
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourGrey
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 12 fail
Pass 4 Apr 2026 65,535 miles

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt draglink from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive oil leaking from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Feb 2025 64,574 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front hockey bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front hockey bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 27 Feb 2025 64,574 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front hockey bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front hockey bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2023 69,981 miles

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Nov 2023 61,966 miles

Speedometer clearly inoperative (7.8 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Oct 2022 61,966 miles

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 21 Oct 2021 61,966 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 4 Sep 2020 61,966 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Pass 23 Aug 2019 61,966 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

oil leak

Pass 21 Aug 2018 61,973 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2018 61,966 miles

Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Pass 8 Aug 2017 153,868 miles
Fail 8 Aug 2017 61,966 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 8 Aug 2016 133,563 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2015 124,045 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2015 124,045 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 12 Apr 2014 117,474 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 7 Apr 2014 117,474 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.3.A.2)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 8 Apr 2013 115,750 miles

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

Oil leak

offside front swivel joint leaking grease

Pass 2 Apr 2012 112,813 miles

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

offside front swivel joint leaking

Fail 2 Apr 2012 112,813 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

offside front swivel joint leaking

Pass 13 Apr 2011 110,925 miles

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Oil leak

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

o/s/f swivel hub seal leaking

Fail 5 Apr 2011 110,911 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Oil leak

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

o/s/f swivel hub seal leaking

Pass 24 Mar 2010 106,106 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2010 106,106 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 27 Mar 2009 101,913 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2008 98,749 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Stop lamp slightly discoloured (1.2.1e)

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

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

Fail 26 Mar 2008 98,749 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Stop lamp slightly discoloured (1.2.1e)

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

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

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

Pass 19 Mar 2007 95,843 miles

Both front suspension turrets starting to corrode

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

Front number plate startong to deteriorate

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

Fail 13 Mar 2007 95,789 miles

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

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

Front number plate starting to deteriorate

N/S/F Suspension turret starting to corrode

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

O/S/F Suspension turret starting to corode

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 28 Mar 2006 91,662 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2006 91,617 miles

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

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

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

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

D494 RAM is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 D494 RAM, 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 D494 RAM?

You can check the full history of D494 RAM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D494 RAM registered?

D494 RAM is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 December 1986.

Is D494 RAM safe to buy?

The MOT history for D494 RAM shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D494 RAM 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 D494 RAM. 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.