CarVerify

Free Car Check

F168 OPA

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Mar 2027
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

127,117 mi
Last recorded127,117 miles
Recorded on11 Mar 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

RegistrationF168 OPA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlue
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 9 fail
Pass 11 Mar 2026 127,117 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2025 126,072 miles

Front Hydraulic leak, but not excessive pas pipe (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective back box (6.1.2 (a))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 24 Mar 2025 126,072 miles

Front Hydraulic leak, but not excessive pas pipe (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective back box (6.1.2 (a))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Mar 2024 124,149 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported position of flex pipe runs very close to caliper by bleed point but not rubbing (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which changes the emitted colour dull in output (4.2.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which changes the emitted colour moisture in lamp (4.2.3 (b) (i))

Offside Stop lamp(s) lens defective which has no effect on emitted light moisture in lamp (4.3.1 (b) (i))

Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light Both have debris in lamps (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip in screen (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Mar 2023 123,290 miles

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Pass 11 Mar 2022 122,404 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2018 122,278 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases @ silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt slightly damaged catch incomplete (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front perished in treads

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis rail deformed at gearbox area (6.1.1 (a) (i))

aux belt cracked

oil leak at oil cooler pipe at filter and rear main oil seal area....oil level low

Fail 3 Jul 2018 122,278 miles

Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn panhard rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases @ silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt slightly damaged catch incomplete (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front perished in treads

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis rail deformed at gearbox area (6.1.1 (a) (i))

aux belt cracked

oil leak at oil cooler pipe at filter and rear main oil seal area....oil level low

Pass 28 Apr 2017 121,318 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases silencer (7.1.2)

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

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

Oil leak ()

all four tyres perished and cracking in the tread

Fail 24 Apr 2017 121,318 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel lower uj worn (2.1.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases silencer (7.1.2)

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

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

Oil leak ()

all four tyres perished and cracking in the tread

Pass 22 Apr 2016 120,264 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement foremost bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside front wheel bearing slightly rough when rotated

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive hockey stick rearmost bush area (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion chassis rail (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion outrigger (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight damage chassis rail (6.1.A.1)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement foremost bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion chassis rail (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak from engine

Oil leak from front diff

Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive column support bearing area (2.2.C.1h)

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

Fail 20 Apr 2016 120,262 miles

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

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement foremost bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside front wheel bearing slightly rough when rotated

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive hockey stick rearmost bush area (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion chassis rail (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion outrigger (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight damage chassis rail (6.1.A.1)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement foremost bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion chassis rail (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak from engine

Oil leak from front diff

Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive column support bearing area (2.2.C.1h)

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

Pass 23 Apr 2015 118,375 miles

All tyres perishing.

Both rear brake drums damp.

Both rear spring mountings rusty.

Nearside rear chassis rail rusty.

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

Steering box leaking slightly.

Fail 23 Apr 2015 118,375 miles

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

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

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

Both rear brake drums damp.

Both rear spring mountings rusty.

Nearside rear chassis rail rusty.

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

Steering box leaking slightly.

Fail 12 Feb 2015 118,367 miles

Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel (2.1.2b)

Steering box leaking slightly.

Pass 25 Apr 2013 116,819 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Oil leak

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 27 Apr 2012 114,421 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 12 May 2011 111,610 miles

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

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

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

Pass 26 Feb 2008 110,205 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

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

Fail 9 Feb 2008 110,191 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

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

Slight brake imbalance.

Pass 2 Feb 2007 109,450 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2007 109,450 miles

Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams (1.7.4b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 1 Feb 2006 108,450 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2006 108,450 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

F168 OPA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 F168 OPA, 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 F168 OPA?

You can check the full history of F168 OPA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F168 OPA registered?

F168 OPA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 11 January 1989.

Is F168 OPA safe to buy?

The MOT history for F168 OPA shows 24 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F168 OPA 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 F168 OPA. 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.