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F487 BDW

1989 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Nov 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

163,986 mi
Last recorded163,986 miles
Recorded on10 Nov 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

RegistrationF487 BDW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourWhite
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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 10 Nov 2025 163,986 miles

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

Central Oil leak, but not excessive gear box leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Coil spring corroded all springs corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 27 Oct 2025 163,983 miles

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

Central Oil leak, but not excessive gear box leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Coil spring corroded all springs corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2024 163,769 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Oct 2023 163,354 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slight cracks in sidewalls (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Oct 2022 163,038 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp all (4.2.3 (c))

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush all (5.3.2 (c))

Steering box worn, but not excessively (2.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Oct 2021 162,777 miles

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

Coil spring corroded all springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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))

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

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2020 162,154 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 26 Oct 2019 161,579 miles

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

light surface corrosion to the underside of vehicle

Pass 13 Oct 2018 160,958 miles

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

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

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))

Pass 7 Oct 2017 159,736 miles

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 22 Oct 2016 157,994 miles

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

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 17 Oct 2015 156,400 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

both wiper blades split

Pass 29 Oct 2014 154,856 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 16 Sep 2014 154,844 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) fouling other parts of the vehicle (2.3.2)

Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

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

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

Offside Front Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g)

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

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

Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

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

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Oil leak

Fail 26 Aug 2014 154,843 miles

Emissions not tested (7.4.B.1)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Indicator switch insecure (1.4.A.1)

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

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

Offside Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) insecure (1.1.A.3a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Electrical wiring insecure (1.9.2a)

front prop shaft uj worn

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

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Oil leak

Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 28 Jun 2014 154,825 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

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

oil leak from engine area

Pass 26 Jun 2013 15,511 miles

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

Fail 12 Jun 2013 15,497 miles

Front registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Pass 28 Jul 2012 157,312 miles
Fail 15 May 2012 153,496 miles

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

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Front registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Towbar component excessively corroded (6.6.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

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

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

nearside front hub seal has slight leak

steering damper cover not secure

Pass 9 Mar 2011 153,227 miles

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

Fail 2 Mar 2011 153,211 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 15 Feb 2010 150,999 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

damp around the fuel pump

misting of oil around the offside and nearside front steering spheres

nearside front brake disc corroded on the inside outer edge

slight play in the steering box

surface corrosion on the chassis and rear crossmember

Fail 15 Feb 2010 150,999 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

damp around the fuel pump

misting of oil around the offside and nearside front steering spheres

nearside front brake disc corroded on the inside outer edge

slight play in the steering box

surface corrosion on the chassis and rear crossmember

Pass 12 Feb 2009 149,142 miles

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

Fail 5 Feb 2009 149,141 miles

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

Offside Front Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

Rear panel corroded

Pass 13 Feb 2008 145,782 miles

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Oil leak

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 12 Feb 2008 145,782 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Oil leak

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 12 Feb 2007 141,224 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2006 133,909 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

F487 BDW is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 F487 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 F487 BDW?

You can check the full history of F487 BDW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F487 BDW registered?

F487 BDW is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 26 January 1989.

Is F487 BDW safe to buy?

The MOT history for F487 BDW shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F487 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 F487 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.