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F478 NGU

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Aug 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

169,844 mi
Last recorded169,844 miles
Recorded on31 Jul 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF478 NGU
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

19 pass 12 fail
Fail 31 Jul 2026 169,844 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Upper Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bulkhead (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Oil leak, but not excessive slight engine oil leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive slight gearbox oil leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

reverse light not working

Pass 2 Aug 2025 165,919 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Aug 2025 165,919 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

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

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

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 21 Jun 2025 165,918 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Front Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged bracket broken insecure (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Upper Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear bump stops missing

Oil leak, but not excessive slight gearbox oil leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Jun 2024 159,934 miles
Fail 5 Apr 2024 159,912 miles

Front Bumper damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Body has an unsafe modification capping sharp edges (6.2.1 (d) (i))

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

Nearside battery box holed and corroded

Pass 10 Mar 2023 156,484 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2022 153,907 miles

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))

Pass 6 Nov 2020 150,030 miles

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

Pass 12 Apr 2019 146,117 miles

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

Fail 12 Apr 2019 146,117 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Chassis rusted badly (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Floor excessively deteriorated Rusted badly (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated Rusted badly (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2018 143,711 miles
Pass 10 Apr 2017 138,399 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2016 132,654 miles

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

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

Fail 2 Apr 2016 132,654 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

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

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2015 130,544 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2015 130,544 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Pass 17 Mar 2014 127,166 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Mar 2014 127,166 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

Pass 15 Mar 2013 125,423 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

rear exhaust slightly deteriorated

Fail 14 Mar 2013 125,423 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

rear exhaust slightly deteriorated

Pass 14 Mar 2012 123,280 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

rear exhaust mount deteriorated

Pass 16 Mar 2011 121,275 miles
Fail 7 Mar 2011 121,275 miles

Centre Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 9 Mar 2010 119,228 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Fail 9 Mar 2010 119,228 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Fail 11 Mar 2009 117,563 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

hand brake cable slack / sticking slightly

Pass 11 Mar 2009 117,563 miles

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

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

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

hand brake cable slack / sticking slightly

Pass 14 Mar 2008 116,053 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2007 113,902 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2006 112,524 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

F478 NGU is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 F478 NGU, 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 F478 NGU?

You can check the full history of F478 NGU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F478 NGU registered?

F478 NGU is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 25 May 1989.

Is F478 NGU safe to buy?

The MOT history for F478 NGU shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F478 NGU 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 F478 NGU. 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.