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E5 MWN

1997 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Nov 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

184,294 mi
Last recorded184,294 miles
Recorded on15 Nov 2025
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE5 MWN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourRed
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 15 Nov 2025 184,294 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 10 Nov 2025 184,288 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 9 Nov 2024 181,452 miles
Pass 5 Oct 2023 179,392 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 7 Oct 2022 177,119 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front hub seal leaking

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

Fail 29 Sep 2022 177,105 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area fractured to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected centre by axle mounting (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area fractured to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front hub seal leaking

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

Pass 4 Oct 2021 173,925 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 8 Sep 2020 171,196 miles

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

Pass 30 Aug 2019 167,561 miles

Nearside Front All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front All direction indicators slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

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

Fail 30 Aug 2019 167,554 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements (4.2.2 (a))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded flexible brake pipe union excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front All direction indicators slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

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

oil filter feed pipe rubbing on steering shaft

Pass 20 Aug 2018 164,503 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2017 156,409 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2016 149,101 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2015 140,386 miles
Fail 25 Jun 2015 140,082 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside 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)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

all the chassis is corroding.

the rear brake disc's are corroded.

the rear propshaft u.j's have slight play in them.

they is a oil leak.

Pass 17 Jun 2014 135,312 miles

the chassis is corroding.

Pass 21 Jun 2013 129,278 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Fail 7 Jun 2013 129,278 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 29 Jun 2012 124,661 miles

parking brake has a lot of travel

Fail 22 Jun 2012 124,560 miles

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

parking brake has a lot of travel

Pass 24 Jun 2011 118,473 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 16 Jun 2011 118,394 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 2 Jul 2010 113,677 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2010 113,665 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by grease (3.5.1h)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 22 Jun 2009 109,962 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2009 109,962 miles

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

Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.2.1d)

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

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

Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

corrosion to vehicle

Pass 18 Jun 2008 105,791 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2008 105,791 miles

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 21 Jun 2007 99,591 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2007 99,591 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 5 Sep 2006 95,784 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 5 Sep 2006 95,784 miles

Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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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E5 MWN is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.5% with a typical mileage of 117,879 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 E5 MWN, 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 29 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 E5 MWN?

You can check the full history of E5 MWN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E5 MWN registered?

E5 MWN is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is E5 MWN safe to buy?

The MOT history for E5 MWN 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 E5 MWN 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 E5 MWN. 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.