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DE52 VLU

2002 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 May 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

253,268 mi
Last recorded253,268 miles
Recorded on2 May 2026
Typical for 2002 Land Rover Defender91,689 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationDE52 VLU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2002
ColourWhite
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 2 May 2026 253,268 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened nearside and offside (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material nearside and offside (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Coil spring corroded nearside and offside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

underbody general corrosion

Pass 19 Mar 2025 249,869 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

general corrosion under body

Pass 15 Jan 2024 247,305 miles

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

Fail 14 Dec 2023 247,303 miles

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

Nearside Front swivel housing leaking

Offside Front swivel housing leaking

Pass 13 Dec 2022 237,551 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2022 237,551 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 Dec 2021 233,972 miles

Nearside Front Swivel housing leaking

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

Offside Front Swivel housing leaking

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

Fail 9 Dec 2021 233,972 miles

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

Nearside Front Swivel housing leaking

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

Offside Front Swivel housing leaking

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

Pass 10 Dec 2020 229,573 miles
Fail 3 Dec 2020 229,573 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive that directional control is impaired swivel bearing (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive that directional control is impaired swivel bearing (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 12 Jun 2019 208,058 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2019 208,047 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability Trailing arm (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 6 Jun 2018 197,771 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective cracked (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 6 Jun 2018 197,765 miles

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

Offside Front Oil leaking excessively from transmission axle swivel joint/housing (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective cracked (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 7 Apr 2017 189,682 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Apr 2017 189,681 miles

Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 11 Mar 2016 177,754 miles

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 11 Mar 2015 171,185 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Mar 2015 171,175 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 7 Mar 2014 162,691 miles

Oil leak

Pass 6 Mar 2013 153,698 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 1 Mar 2013 153,698 miles

Adjustable towbar locating pin retaining device missing (6.6.5c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 28 Feb 2012 144,494 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2012 143,976 miles

Registration plate lamp shows direct white light to the rear (1.1.C.1f)

Pass 6 Jan 2012 143,976 miles
Pass 5 Jan 2011 132,591 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Aug 2009 127,713 miles

Centre Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 13 Aug 2009 127,713 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2008 109,876 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2008 109,876 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 3 Sep 2007 89,778 miles
Pass 6 Sep 2006 69,942 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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DE52 VLU is a 2002 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 2002 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.1% with a typical mileage of 91,689 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 DE52 VLU, 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 24 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 DE52 VLU?

You can check the full history of DE52 VLU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DE52 VLU registered?

DE52 VLU is a 2002 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 27 November 2002.

Is DE52 VLU safe to buy?

The MOT history for DE52 VLU 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 DE52 VLU 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 DE52 VLU. 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.