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F278 WVV

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Jun 2027
Tests28 (16 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

116,053 mi
Last recorded116,053 miles
Recorded on3 Jun 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF278 WVV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

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

16 pass 12 fail
Pass 3 Jun 2026 116,053 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2025 113,253 miles
Pass 4 Nov 2022 111,847 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 13 Jul 2022 111,775 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all four (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Jul 2021 109,894 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 29 Jun 2021 109,883 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 3 Jul 2019 106,987 miles

Nearside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fail 3 Jul 2019 106,987 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 26 Jun 2018 105,075 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Rear Standard fitment seat belt missing

Fail 22 Jun 2018 105,074 miles

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

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

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

Power steering component leaking steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Rear Standard fitment seat belt missing

Pass 8 May 2017 103,847 miles

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FRAYED

NO REAR SEATS FITTED AT TIME OF TEST

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

VARIOUS OIL LEAKS

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

Fail 5 May 2017 103,841 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting CHASSIS LEG (6.6.6)

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting CHASSIS LEG (6.6.6)

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FRAYED

MIDDLE PROP DAMAGED

NO REAR SEATS FITTED AT TIME OF TEST

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

VARIOUS OIL LEAKS

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

Pass 3 May 2016 101,044 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

both front seat belts frayed

nearside front brake pads loose in calliper

oil leak

suspect power steering leak

Fail 3 May 2016 101,044 miles

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

both front seat belts frayed

nearside front brake pads loose in calliper

oil leak

suspect power steering leak

Pass 30 Apr 2015 97,908 miles

Oil leak

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

Pass 6 May 2014 94,924 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

o/s/f body moumting insecure

o/s/f tyre cracking on sidewall

Fail 6 May 2014 94,924 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

o/s/f body moumting insecure

o/s/f tyre cracking on sidewall

Pass 11 Feb 2011 226,025 miles

Parts of chassis corroded but not eceesive

Pass 17 Feb 2010 217,202 miles

steering idle arm has slight play

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

Pass 12 Feb 2009 207,583 miles

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

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

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

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

pas tank cap poor fit

Fail 10 Feb 2009 207,550 miles

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

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

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

pas tank cap poor fit

Pass 8 Feb 2008 199,784 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Fail 5 Feb 2008 199,734 miles

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Fail 12 Dec 2007 199,641 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.5)

Nearside rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Offside rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

brake pipes pitted and rusty

chassis rusty and badly corroded and holed in places bt not within thr prescribed areas

cuts in front seat belts

oil leaks at engine gearbox and axles

Pass 8 Dec 2006 194,458 miles

both rear chassis rails corroded

corrosion both front chassis rails

corrosion near side centre floor

corrosion off side centre floor

corrosion off side front floor

corrosion off side rear spring lower mounting

front brake discs worn

near side door front post corroded

near siderear tyre wall damaged

off side rear bump stop missing

off side rear suspension spring mounting corroded

rear cross member corroded

Fail 30 Nov 2006 194,458 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Suspension component 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)

Rear Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside (3.7.C.2)

both rear chassis rails corroded

corrosion both front chassis rails

corrosion near side centre floor

corrosion off side centre floor

corrosion off side front floor

corrosion off side rear spring lower mounting

front brake discs worn

near side rear tyre wall damaged

off side rear bump stop missing

off side rear suspension spring mounting corroded

rear cross member corroded

Pass 26 Nov 2005 186,180 miles
Fail 12 Nov 2005 185,777 miles

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

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

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

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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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

F278 WVV is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 F278 WVV, 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 F278 WVV?

You can check the full history of F278 WVV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F278 WVV registered?

F278 WVV is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 January 1989.

Is F278 WVV safe to buy?

The MOT history for F278 WVV shows 28 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F278 WVV 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 F278 WVV. 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.