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F147 BDW

1989 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Jan 2027
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

163,867 mi
Last recorded163,867 miles
Recorded on21 Jan 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

RegistrationF147 BDW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourGrey
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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 21 Jan 2026 163,867 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2026 163,862 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 3 Sep 2024 158,475 miles

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 28 Aug 2024 158,470 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Passenger's seat with a defective structure (6.2.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Front Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail (6.1.7 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 20 Dec 2022 151,214 miles

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

Fail 19 Dec 2022 151,205 miles

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt A frame (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 12 Jan 2022 146,926 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2021 146,864 miles

Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting rear crossmember (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2020 142,845 miles
Pass 9 Dec 2019 139,399 miles

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 9 Dec 2019 139,399 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Driver's door does not latch securely closed (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 29 Nov 2018 137,115 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 29 Nov 2018 137,113 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play front (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 28 Nov 2017 134,371 miles

Oil leak ()

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 24 Nov 2017 134,371 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak ()

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 29 Nov 2016

corrosion of n/s and o/s out riggers

Fail 28 Nov 2016

Central Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

corrosion of n/s and o/s out riggers

Pass 25 Sep 2015 128,144 miles

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced out rigger (2.4.G.1)

rear exhaust box support bracket loose

slight fuel leak from injectors

Fail 24 Sep 2015 128,143 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Power steering component(s) leaking steering box (2.3.3b)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced out rigger (2.4.G.1)

rear exhaust box support bracket loose

slight fuel leak from injectors

Pass 16 Sep 2014 124,996 miles
Fail 11 Sep 2014 124,996 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre(s) is inadequate for the vehicles maximum permitted laden weight due to an incorrect load index (4.1.B.1b)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre(s) is inadequate for the vehicles maximum permitted laden weight due to an incorrect load index (4.1.B.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre(s) is inadequate for the vehicles maximum permitted laden weight due to an incorrect load index (4.1.B.1b)

Rear Towbar component excessively corroded (6.6.1)

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

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

n/s/r tyre on legal limit/o/s/r near legal limit

Pass 13 Sep 2013 121,265 miles

Oil leak

n/s/f tyre and n/s/r getting low

Fail 12 Sep 2013 121,265 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

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

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Rear Towbar component excessively corroded (6.6.1)

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Trailer electrical socket damaged so that lead cannot be securely connected (1.9.3b)

Oil leak

n/s/f brake binding

n/s/f side light lens damaged

n/s/f tyre and n/s/r getting low

Pass 6 Sep 2012 117,982 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

both rear tyres cracking in tred

Pass 8 Sep 2011 114,950 miles
Fail 8 Sep 2011 114,948 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

o/s/r brake reading low

Pass 2 Sep 2010 111,712 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2009 108,032 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2008 104,526 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2007 99,142 miles

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

Pass 7 Jun 2006 94,355 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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F147 BDW is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 F147 BDW, 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 F147 BDW?

You can check the full history of F147 BDW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F147 BDW registered?

F147 BDW is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 21 June 1989.

Is F147 BDW safe to buy?

The MOT history for F147 BDW shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F147 BDW 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 F147 BDW. 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.