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D789 LJO

1986 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires31 Mar 2018
Tests20 (11 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate55%

Mileage

143,065 mi
Last recorded143,065 miles
Recorded on21 Oct 2025
Typical for 1986 Land Rover Defender124,952 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationD789 LJO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1986
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

11 pass 9 fail
Fail 21 Oct 2025 143,065 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at rear of door step (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering linkage deformed bracket on axle (2.1.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired chassis out rigger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis at rear of spring various places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis above prop various places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis at rear of rear spring various places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis next to shocker various places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive door step at front (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

all chassis corroded

Fail 12 Nov 2019 143,045 miles

All position lamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Brake pedal not releasing correctly and functionality of brakes affected (1.1.2 (b) (ii))

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Hazard warning lamps inoperative all (4.4.1 (e))

Nearside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has an unsafe modification front mount retaining device missing (5.3.3 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced body mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced shock absorber mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced upper a arm mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced out rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Axle with an unsafe modification weld repair to trailing arm mount area (5.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced body mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced shock absorber mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced upper a arm mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced centre body mount area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced nearside front outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Front Axle insecure such that stability is impaired excessive corrosion nearside sway bar and axle mount area of axle (5.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Body component likely to become detached centre body mount (6.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Nearside non obligatory mirror damaged

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

Pass 20 Mar 2017 142,662 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 1 Apr 2016 141,428 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2014 140,313 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 10 Oct 2013 138,901 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

rear tyres perishing

Fail 13 Jun 2012 137,768 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 13 Jun 2012 137,768 miles
Fail 11 May 2012 137,716 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Panhard rod attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

corrosion in battery box area

Pass 30 Mar 2011 135,981 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2011 135,979 miles

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Pass 23 Mar 2010 134,050 miles

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

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

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

both props have wear in uj joints

no emission report due to lack of smoke

Fail 22 Mar 2010 134,016 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

both props have wear in uj joints

no emission report due to lack of smoke

Pass 17 Mar 2009 132,697 miles

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

Pass 4 Mar 2008 129,680 miles
Fail 4 Mar 2008 129,608 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

Pass 13 Feb 2007 121,974 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2007 121,899 miles

Nearside Outer Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Outer Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Pass 6 Mar 2006 119,603 miles

oil leak

rear no plate cracked

Fail 6 Mar 2006 119,603 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

oil leak

rear no plate cracked

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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D789 LJO is a 1986 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55%.

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 D789 LJO, 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 D789 LJO?

You can check the full history of D789 LJO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D789 LJO registered?

D789 LJO is a 1986 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 August 1986.

Is D789 LJO safe to buy?

The MOT history for D789 LJO shows 20 tests with a 55% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D789 LJO 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 D789 LJO. 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.