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F143 MDV

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Aug 2027
Tests23 (15 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate65.2%

Mileage

144,961 mi
Last recorded144,961 miles
Recorded on28 Jul 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationF143 MDV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
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

15 pass 8 fail
Pass 28 Jul 2026 144,961 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Jul 2026 144,961 miles

Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Flexi section of front/down pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Aug 2025 142,198 miles

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

Fail 2 Aug 2025 142,198 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Front diff pinion seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

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

Pass 17 Aug 2024 137,593 miles

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

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))

Fail 3 Jul 2024 137,593 miles

Braking system leaking VAC leak in engine bay (1.1.3 (d))

Central Front Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Diff pinion seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Fuel system component leaking Injector pump area (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Pass 3 Jul 2023 133,038 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Jul 2023 133,038 miles

Central Front Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Diff pinion seal area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2022 127,773 miles

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))

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

Pass 3 Jul 2021 125,736 miles

Brake pedal rubber is worn

Clutch pedal rubber is worn

General engine oil leaks

Offside & nearside seat belts are frayed

Pass 10 Jun 2020 123,424 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2020 123,424 miles

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

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

Rear Stop lamp(s) not working both (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 9 Jul 2019 122,619 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2019 122,618 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced bulkhead outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Upper Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength trailing arm mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear Position lamp not working both (4.2.1 (a))

Fuel filler neck breather/vent pipe not connected.

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

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

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Reverse lights not working (Both).

Pass 9 Apr 2018 118,279 miles

Front Propshaft universal joint worn

Nearside Rear Bump stop missing

Nearside Rear Tyre slight cracking inner wall

Offside Rear Bump stop missing

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 6 Apr 2018 118,267 miles

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

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

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

Offside Inner Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3) DANGEROUS

Offside Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Bulkhead (2.2.C.1h) DANGEROUS

Front Propshaft universal joint worn

Nearside Rear Bump stop missing

Nearside Rear Tyre slight cracking inner wall

Offside Rear Bump stop missing

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 31 May 2017 115,136 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2010 111,208 miles
Pass 12 Sep 2009 107,687 miles
Pass 13 Sep 2008 105,880 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2007 103,680 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2006 100,497 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2006 100,497 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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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F143 MDV is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.2%.

Across all 1989 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 127,912 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 F143 MDV, 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 37 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 F143 MDV?

You can check the full history of F143 MDV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F143 MDV registered?

F143 MDV is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 April 1989.

Is F143 MDV safe to buy?

The MOT history for F143 MDV shows 23 tests with a 65.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F143 MDV 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 F143 MDV. 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.