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F491 WEJ

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Apr 2027
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

84,673 mi
Last recorded84,673 miles
Recorded on2 Apr 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

RegistrationF491 WEJ
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

18 pass 13 fail
Pass 2 Apr 2026 84,673 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear axle corroded

Pass 17 Feb 2025 84,183 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2025 84,183 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Feb 2024 83,453 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2023 82,755 miles

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all dipped beam headlamps (4.1.3 (a))

Pass 27 Jan 2022 82,047 miles
Pass 23 Jul 2018 81,261 miles

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

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

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced foot well (6.1.1 (c) (i))

clutch flexy hose rubbing on chassis,marks in hose

Fail 17 Jul 2018 81,261 miles

Nearside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis rail (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced foot well (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

clutch flexy hose rubbing on chassis,marks in hose

Pass 18 Jul 2017 80,256 miles

Offside Front Upper Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed pin worn in hinge (6.2.B.2)

Fail 17 Jul 2017 80,256 miles

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting corroded in 5 places (6.6.6)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Front Upper Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed pin worn in hinge (6.2.B.2)

Pass 2 Aug 2016 79,265 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread cracking up (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Rear brake back plate oily

Fail 26 Jul 2016 79,264 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread cracking up (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Rear brake back plate oily

Pass 13 Jul 2015 78,308 miles
Fail 10 Jul 2015 78,308 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Pass 30 Jun 2014 76,906 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2014 76,906 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Pass 29 Jul 2013 75,205 miles

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

all repairs cover by under seal

both rear tyres cracking

heavy under seal under jeep covering heavy corrosion ns os inner outer chassie rails front to back

Fail 26 Jul 2013 75,193 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

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

all repairs cover by under seal

both rear tyres cracking

heavy under seal under jeep covering heavy corrosion ns os inner outer chassie rails front to back

Fail 5 Jul 2013 75,156 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Centre Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) missing (1.1.A.3a)

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

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

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

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)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure inadequately repaired seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

heavy deep corrosion ns os inner and outer chassie rails front to back

nrs osr body supports heavy corrosion

osf front floor holed heavy corrosion

Pass 26 Apr 2012 73,959 miles

Both sides rear wheels and hibs contaminated with oil.

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 3 May 2011 71,839 miles

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 27 Apr 2011 71,820 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 3 Feb 2010 68,030 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2010 68,030 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Feb 2009 65,803 miles

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

Fail 18 Feb 2009 65,789 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front 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)

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

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

Pass 29 Feb 2008 63,238 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Feb 2007 60,937 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2007 60,937 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incomplete (1.5.A1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Pass 21 Feb 2006 58,292 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2006 58,289 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

Rear Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

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

F491 WEJ is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

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 F491 WEJ, 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 F491 WEJ?

You can check the full history of F491 WEJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F491 WEJ registered?

F491 WEJ is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 January 1989.

Is F491 WEJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for F491 WEJ shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F491 WEJ 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 F491 WEJ. 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.