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F497 SPA

1989 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Dec 2026
Tests32 (21 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate65.6%

Mileage

87,365 mi
Last recorded87,365 miles
Recorded on11 Dec 2025
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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF497 SPA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourGreen
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

21 pass 11 fail
Pass 11 Dec 2025 87,365 miles

Front brake discs corroded

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush upper and lower (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 12 Dec 2024 87,347 miles

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 24 Nov 2023 86,291 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread damaged (0.1 (b))

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Universal joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 22 Nov 2023 86,285 miles

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

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread damaged (0.1 (b))

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Universal joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 12 Dec 2022 86,255 miles

BOTH A-pillars corroded.

Coil spring corroded ALL 4. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened BOTH inner surface corroded. (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Oil leak, but not excessive Shaft seal. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Differential. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Universal joint. (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated On top of diff/rear axle. (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Chipped. (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Nov 2021 85,990 miles

Both A pillars corroded.

Coil spring corroded ALL 4. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Both--ends of chassis rail/under bumper corroded.

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

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate lights dim.

Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated On top of rear axle. (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Chipped. (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Dec 2020 85,584 miles

Coil spring corroded ALL 4. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Power steering pump. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Oil leak, but not excessive Of axle/differential. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Marked with chalk. (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2019 85,170 miles

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

Rear step mounting weak

ns and os front outer hub seal leaking

Fail 3 Jun 2019 85,170 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Rear step mounting weak

ns and os front outer hub seal leaking

Pass 5 Jun 2018 84,420 miles

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

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

Engine, steering and front hubs have slight oil leaks

Front bulkhead area becoming corroded

rear suspension arms corroded

Fail 29 May 2018 84,412 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Engine, steering and front hubs have slight oil leaks

Front bulkhead area becoming corroded

rear suspension arms corroded

Pass 8 Jun 2017 82,794 miles

All coil springs corroded

Front bulkhead area becoming corroded

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

Oil leak around engine, and steering components, and slight leak from front hubs

Rear suspension A arms corroded

Fail 5 Jun 2017 82,786 miles

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

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

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

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

All coil springs corroded

Front bulkhead area becoming corroded

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

Oil leak around engine, and steering components, and slight leak from front hubs

Rear suspension A arms corroded

Pass 31 May 2016 82,491 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside wiper blade torn on edge

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 5 Jun 2015 81,833 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

all four body mount areas corroded and weak and holed

offside front floor corroded and holed by body mount

Fail 30 May 2015 81,830 miles

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

all four body mount areas corroded and weak and holed

offside front floor corroded and holed by body mount

Pass 29 May 2014 80,716 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 28 May 2014 80,705 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 30 May 2013 78,613 miles
Fail 30 May 2013 78,613 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Fail 23 May 2012 75,973 miles

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

Pass 23 May 2012 75,973 miles
Pass 11 May 2011 73,234 miles
Pass 25 May 2010 70,852 miles
Pass 27 May 2009 68,379 miles

Both number plates becoming discoloured

Both wiper blades torn on edges

Possible slight diesel leak at injection pump

Pass 29 May 2008 66,287 miles
Fail 23 May 2008 66,260 miles

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

front panor rod slight play in bushes

Pass 21 May 2007 63,801 miles
Fail 22 May 2006 61,218 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 22 May 2006 61,218 miles
Fail 18 May 2005 59,119 miles

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 18 May 2005 59,119 miles

various oil leaks under side of vehicle

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.

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F497 SPA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.6%.

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 F497 SPA, 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 F497 SPA?

You can check the full history of F497 SPA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F497 SPA registered?

F497 SPA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 June 1989.

Is F497 SPA safe to buy?

The MOT history for F497 SPA shows 32 tests with a 65.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F497 SPA 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 F497 SPA. 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.