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F143 VDE

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Feb 2027
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

124,799 mi
Last recorded124,799 miles
Recorded on28 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or 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

RegistrationF143 VDE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
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

14 pass 11 fail
Pass 28 Jan 2026 124,799 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2025 124,799 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Feb 2025 124,799 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Oct 2023 124,799 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2023 124,799 miles

Offside Windscreen wiper missing (3.4 (a))

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

Pass 12 Oct 2022 124,799 miles

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Sliding joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Aug 2021 124,799 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2021 124,799 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 3 Jul 2020 124,799 miles
Pass 20 May 2019 124,824 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Rear Exhaust corroded

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

Fail 13 May 2019 124,799 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Rear Exhaust corroded

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

Fail 25 Apr 2019 124,799 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper missing fell off (3.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis/exhaust mount bracket (as marked) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Chassis (as marked) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Exhaust bracket bolt missing

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Steering pin bush play

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Steering arm bush play

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

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

Pass 21 Feb 2018 124,799 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak ()

Pass 20 Dec 2016 123,209 miles
Fail 16 Dec 2016 123,178 miles

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) steering box more then 3in play (2.2.A.1a)

Front bonnet cable broken

steering wheel not centre

Fail 13 Dec 2016 123,178 miles

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) steering box more then 3in play (2.2.A.1a)

Front bonnet cable broken

Pass 29 Dec 2015 120,229 miles

all four brake hubs //// tin back plates missing

Fail 21 Dec 2015 120,223 miles

Front Fuel system component leaking number one cylinder // diesel leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Panhard rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front front brake application uneven brake low (3.7.B.2)

all four brake hubs //// tin back plates missing

Pass 15 Jul 2011 118,584 miles

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

Fail 7 Jul 2011 118,581 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Front Radius arm insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Pass 21 Jul 2009 117,323 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2009 117,308 miles

Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

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

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

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 23 Nov 2007 115,099 miles
Fail 20 Nov 2007 115,094 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 13 Jul 2006 111,620 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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F143 VDE is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

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 VDE, 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 VDE?

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

What year was F143 VDE registered?

F143 VDE is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 May 1989.

Is F143 VDE safe to buy?

The MOT history for F143 VDE shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F143 VDE 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 VDE. 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.