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F156 GRM

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Nov 2026
Tests26 (15 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate57.7%

Mileage

210,070 mi
Last recorded210,070 miles
Recorded on15 Nov 2025
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF156 GRM
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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 11 fail
Pass 15 Nov 2025 210,070 miles

Rear Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Various repairs covered in under seal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Pass 28 Sep 2021 20,995 miles
Fail 4 Nov 2019

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

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

Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering idler (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Cab steps insecure (6.2.8 (a) (i))

Offside Cab steps insecure (6.2.8 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Oct 2018 207,144 miles

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

Pass 7 Nov 2017 204,881 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2016 202,202 miles
Pass 4 Nov 2015 199,983 miles

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

Pass 8 Nov 2014 197,888 miles

Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 30 Oct 2014 197,880 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Rear rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

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

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

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

Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 10 Oct 2014 197,836 miles

Fuel tank insecure (7.2.1)

Nearside Front Track rod end seriously misaligned (2.2.C.1b)

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a seal (2.3.3b)

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

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

Front coil spring worn (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Front Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

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

Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

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

Oil leak

Pass 12 Sep 2013 195,851 miles

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 5 Sep 2013 195,851 miles

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

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

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

Pass 12 Oct 2012 194,413 miles

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Fail 11 Oct 2012 194,413 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

Centre Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

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

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Fail 16 Aug 2012 194,407 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

Nearside Front Axle beam has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (2.5.A.1a)

Nearside Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Axle beam has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (2.5.A.1a)

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

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

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Pass 29 Jul 2011 191,902 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 19 Jul 2011 191,900 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Hazard warning switch missing (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 23 Jun 2010 187,757 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2010 187,757 miles

Centre Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Oil leak

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 13 Jul 2009 186,102 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Inner Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

No lights fitted at time of test

Oil leak

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 2 Jul 2009 185,999 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Inner Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 10 Apr 2008 178,818 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2008 177,570 miles

Centre Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

Centre Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Front brake pads overlaping discs

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

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

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

front propeller shaft play/loose

Fail 6 Mar 2008 177,029 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.3.A.2)

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Driver's door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 20 Mar 2007 160,075 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2006 156,220 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

F156 GRM is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.7%.

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 F156 GRM, 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 F156 GRM?

You can check the full history of F156 GRM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F156 GRM registered?

F156 GRM is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 26 January 1989.

Is F156 GRM safe to buy?

The MOT history for F156 GRM shows 26 tests with a 57.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F156 GRM 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 F156 GRM. 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.