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F43 XEJ

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires20 Aug 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

172,489 mi
Last recorded172,489 miles
Recorded on23 Jul 2025
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

RegistrationF43 XEJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlue
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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 23 Jul 2025 172,489 miles

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

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

Rear axle corroded

clutch pedal antislip pad missing

Pass 21 Aug 2024 172,388 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

both rear axle bumpstops missing

brake pedal long travel

clutch pedal antislip pad missing

Fail 13 Aug 2024 172,388 miles

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

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

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

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure on steering box (2.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

both rear axle bumpstops missing

brake pedal long travel

clutch pedal antislip pad missing

Pass 2 Aug 2023 172,338 miles

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

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

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

Rear bumpstops both missing

long travel in brake pedal

no rear foglight tell tale light on

Fail 25 Jul 2023 172,250 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively damaged on axle (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Rear bumpstops both missing

long travel in brake pedal

no indicator tell tale lights

no rear foglight tell tale light on

Pass 27 Jul 2022 171,945 miles

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

Nearside Rear bumpstop missing

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

Offside Rear bumpstop missing

clutch pedal rubber missing

wiper switch insecure

Fail 15 Jul 2022 171,945 miles

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

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper missing (3.4 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Driver's door hinge insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear bumpstop missing

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

Offside Front Side repeater insecure (4.4.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear bumpstop missing

clutch pedal rubber missing

wiper switch insecure

Pass 6 Aug 2021 171,656 miles

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

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

Nearside Front wheel arch damaged

Offside Front Lower Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear n/s o/s bump stop missing

Sound deadening material not fully secure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

clutch pad missing

Fail 5 Aug 2021 171,656 miles

Front Bumper insecure (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.1.2 (e) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front wheel arch damaged

Offside Front Lower Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Rear n/s o/s bump stop missing

Sound deadening material not fully secure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

clutch pad missing

Pass 13 Jul 2019 169,992 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair backplate wet (1.2.1 (c))

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

offside and nearside rear bumpstops missing

Fail 4 Jul 2019 169,992 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel backplate wet (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported front to rear (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Hazard warning switch insecure (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair backplate wet (1.2.1 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

offside and nearside rear bumpstops missing

Offside Front Steering box insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 26 Jul 2018 168,207 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake backplate damp

Nearside Rear bumpstop missing

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

Offside Rear brake backplate damp

Offside Rear bumpstop missing

Fail 4 Jul 2018 168,182 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint insecure in a stub axle (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up (5.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Axle swivel joint insecure in a stub axle (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Rear bumpstop missing

Nearside Rear oil leaking from backplate

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear bumpstop missing

Offside Rear oil leaking from backplate

Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

slight wear in column uj

Pass 22 Jun 2017 164,355 miles

Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed n/s & o/s (5.2.2b)

Offside Stop lamp slightly discoloured (1.2.1e)

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

battery tray rusted through near seatbelt mountings but front passenger seats not fitted at time of test

corrosion to chassis by foot well near side steps n/s& o/s (directly underneath brake servo)

lift in offside front hub assembly

n/s/f & o/s/f brake pipes corroded

n/s/r corrosion in coil spring box section area

n/s/r tyre wearing low

oil around engine

welding work carried out throughout vehicle

Fail 8 Jun 2017 164,354 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering tractor joint (2.5.A.3a)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

n/s/r tyre wearing low

oil around engine

Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed n/s & o/s (5.2.2b)

Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Stop lamp slightly discoloured (1.2.1e)

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

corrosion to chassis by foot well near side steps n/s& o/s (directly underneath brake servo)

n/s/f & o/s/f brake pipes corroded

n/s/r corrosion in coil spring box section area

welding work carried out throughout vehicle

Pass 7 Nov 2014 163,033 miles

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

Fail 30 Oct 2014 163,032 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover missing (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

Nearside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located (2.4.C.2)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

Offside Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Panhard rod attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2013 162,006 miles

footbrake travel low

front brake pads appear worn low

front number plate damaged

nearside and offside front seatbelt webbings damaged

nearside front hub leaking

nearside rear reflector damaged

play in offside front hub - suggest attention

slight play in nearside rear wheel bearing

slight roughness in steering on right hand lock

Fail 11 Apr 2013 162,000 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

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

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

footbrake travel low

front brake pads appear worn low

front number plate damaged

nearside and offside front seatbelt webbings damaged

nearside front hub leaking

nearside rear reflector damaged

play in offside front hub - suggest attention

slight play in nearside rear wheel bearing

slight roughness in steering on right hand lock

Pass 11 Apr 2012 153,514 miles

Nearside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

under body surface rust

Pass 11 Jul 2011 148,499 miles
Pass 2 Mar 2010 146,158 miles

corriosion to o/s floor pan

front hub oil seals leaking

rear bump stops missing

Pass 4 Mar 2009 144,145 miles

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

long travel on footbrake

n/s/f hub seal leak

o/s/f hub seal leak

rear bump stops missing

Pass 10 Mar 2008 141,288 miles

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

corrosion o/s door frame

o/s/r bump stop missing

Pass 10 Mar 2007 139,101 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

F43 XEJ is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

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 F43 XEJ, 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 F43 XEJ?

You can check the full history of F43 XEJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F43 XEJ registered?

F43 XEJ is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 March 1989.

Is F43 XEJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for F43 XEJ shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F43 XEJ 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 F43 XEJ. 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.