CarVerify

Free Car Check

D653 DRU

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Petrol 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Sep 2027
Tests16 (8 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

52,371 mi
Last recorded52,371 miles
Recorded on16 Sep 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

RegistrationD653 DRU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
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

8 pass 8 fail
Pass 16 Sep 2026 52,371 miles

All underneath covered in underseal

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

Pass 17 May 2024 52,312 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Steering box leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Some corrosion in the inner wheel arch

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 16 May 2024 52,502 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Steering box leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Some corrosion in the inner wheel arch

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 21 Feb 2023 52,233 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive Steering box leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Some corrosion in the inner wheel arch

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush top bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 10 Feb 2023 52,232 miles

Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (8.1.1 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake performance unable to be tested Brake binding on (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Fluid leak, but not excessive Steering box leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Some corrosion in the inner wheel arch

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush top bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 1 Feb 2022 52,217 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering box worn, but not excessively (2.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 29 Dec 2021 52,204 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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))

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

Pass 16 Dec 2020 51,714 miles

Front NSF and OSF winch mounting bolts loose(can be seen in wheel arches)

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

Nearside Front Floor corroded

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel rim corroded

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel rim corroded

Offside Rear Slight leak from half shaft

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

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

Service brake causing vehicle to pull slightly to the right when applied hard

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

Fail 9 Dec 2020 51,709 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Brake drum contaminated Large leak from half shaft (1.1.14 (b))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp light intensity significantly reduced Rear side lights brighter than fog (4.5.4 (a))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Cords through large perishing cracks (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front NSF and OSF winch mounting bolts loose(can be seen in wheel arches)

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

Nearside Front Floor corroded

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel rim corroded

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel rim corroded

Offside Rear Slight leak from half shaft

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

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

Service brake causing vehicle to pull slightly to the right when applied hard

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

Pass 15 Nov 2019 51,441 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases From centre pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Inner arch corroded

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 9 Aug 2018 50,868 miles

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

Fail 8 Aug 2018 50,866 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive steering box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 30 Aug 2017 49,458 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2017 49,455 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 22 Jul 2011 49,176 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2011 49,167 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside Brake pipe slightly 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

D653 DRU is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

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 D653 DRU, 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 D653 DRU?

You can check the full history of D653 DRU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D653 DRU registered?

D653 DRU is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1986.

Is D653 DRU safe to buy?

The MOT history for D653 DRU shows 16 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D653 DRU 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 D653 DRU. 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.