CarVerify

Free Car Check

F157 BDW

1989 Land Rover Defender

Maroon Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Aug 2027
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

83,927 mi
Last recorded83,927 miles
Recorded on14 Aug 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationF157 BDW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourMaroon
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

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 14 Aug 2026 83,927 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm bushes worn (both sides) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trail arm bush splitting and some movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive footwell corroded (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear fuel tank damp

Pass 15 Nov 2024 83,831 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides arm bushings (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive oil cooler pipes (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front footwell corroded

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trail arm bushes (both sides) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Jul 2023 81,852 miles

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

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.5mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt pitman arm balljoint boot (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm front bushes worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front footwell corrosion

Rear reverse lamp inop

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all four tyres cracked and perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 12 Jul 2022 79,444 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all effected covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

undersealed front to back all component's covered as well

Fail 11 Jul 2022 79,440 miles

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all effected covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

undersealed front to back all component's covered as well

Pass 4 Feb 2019 79,427 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material on axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

rear cross member corroded

Pass 12 Oct 2017 73,576 miles

general corrosion under vehicle

Pass 19 Jul 2016 70,347 miles

Oil leak

swivels leaking

Fail 13 Jul 2016 70,347 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Oil leak

swivels leaking

Pass 16 Jun 2015 66,982 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2015 66,982 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Front Upper Steering locking device insecure (2.2.C.1g) DANGEROUS

Pass 13 Jun 2014 64,419 miles
Fail 12 Jun 2014 64,419 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

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

Towbar locking device insecure (6.6.3b)

Front Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Pass 19 Apr 2013 63,452 miles

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

Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 15 Apr 2013 63,452 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber casing corroded externally so the unit does not function (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 17 Apr 2012 62,461 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Apr 2012 62,461 miles

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

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

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

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

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Apr 2011 61,096 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Fail 7 Apr 2011 61,096 miles

Nearside Rear 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)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Pass 14 Apr 2010 59,314 miles

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Rear Torque/reaction arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Apr 2009 57,605 miles
Fail 9 Apr 2009 57,605 miles

Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 1 Feb 2008 56,237 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2007 52,567 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2007 52,567 miles

Front drive shaft coupling is excessively worn (2.5.C.1c)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

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

Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

o/s/f door lower hinge broken

Pass 26 Jan 2006 49,163 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2006 49,163 miles

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

Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot(s) or their associated mountings locking device insecure (3.1.4b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

F157 BDW is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Maroon with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 F157 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 F157 BDW?

You can check the full history of F157 BDW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F157 BDW registered?

F157 BDW is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 21 February 1989.

Is F157 BDW safe to buy?

The MOT history for F157 BDW shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F157 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 F157 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.