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D581 VNJ

1986 Land Rover Defender

Beige Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Nov 2026
Tests19 (11 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate57.9%

Mileage

285,196 mi
Last recorded285,196 miles
Recorded on6 Nov 2025
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationD581 VNJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBeige
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

11 pass 8 fail
Pass 6 Nov 2025 285,196 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage pipe to pump connection (2.1.5 (a))

bull bar fixings loose

Fail 27 Oct 2025 285,191 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage pipe to pump connection (2.1.5 (a))

bull bar fixings loose

Pass 17 Oct 2024 278,924 miles

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

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

bull bar fixings loose

Pass 26 Oct 2023 273,471 miles

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

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

Hazard warning tell-tale missing (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged Perishing (5.2.3 (j))

Pass 8 Sep 2022 272,334 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty tell tale inoprative (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 7 Sep 2022 272,320 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

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

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Hazard warning switch faulty tell tale inoprative (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 1 Oct 2015 272,297 miles

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread broken / damaged / badly angled or positioned (6.3.4b)

Nearside Rear Passenger's seat insecure due to corrosion within prescribed area within door area (6.2.A.1)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint rear axle tie bar ball joint and also boot deteriorating (2.4.G.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Body has slight corrosion rear cross members in aluminium have slight holes / damage ...as marked (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 22 Feb 2014 269,339 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Fail 22 Feb 2014 269,339 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 15 Sep 2011 268,796 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2011 268,796 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Pass 17 Aug 2010 267,821 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 17 Aug 2010 267,812 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 15 Jun 2009 259,096 miles

Bulkhead body mounts corroded both sides

Bulkhead corroded NS

Corrosion OSR sill/chassis mount.

Front swivel hub seals leaking

Oil leak

Some corrosion rear crossmember, no towbar fitted sat time of test.

Fail 11 Jun 2009 258,987 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Bulkhead body mounts corroded both sides

Bulkhead corroded NS

Corrosion OSR sill/chassis mount.

Front swivel hub seals leaking

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

Oil hub leak NS rear wheel.

Oil leak

Some corrosion rear crossmember, no towbar fitted sat time of test.

Pass 2 Jun 2008 248,917 miles

Front swivel hubs both sides slight leak.

NS rear chassis corroded by radius arm mount.

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 19 Jun 2007 234,500 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2007 234,450 miles

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is severely distorted (2.4.A.3)

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

Corrosion around NS sill rear mount.

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

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.2.C.1h)

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

Pass 17 Jun 2006 214,309 miles

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.

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D581 VNJ is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Beige with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.9%.

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 D581 VNJ, 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 D581 VNJ?

You can check the full history of D581 VNJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D581 VNJ registered?

D581 VNJ is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 November 1986.

Is D581 VNJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for D581 VNJ shows 19 tests with a 57.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D581 VNJ 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 D581 VNJ. 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.