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F504 SWS

1989 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Aug 2027
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

170,551 mi
Last recorded170,551 miles
Recorded on26 Aug 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF504 SWS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourGrey
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 26 Aug 2026 170,551 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2025 170,350 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2024 169,921 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Fore and aft bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Fore and aft bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Aug 2023 169,412 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Fore and aft bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Fore and aft bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 18 May 2022 167,382 miles
Pass 19 May 2021 166,507 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2019 165,251 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2018 161,258 miles
Pass 15 Sep 2017 157,054 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 14 Sep 2017 157,031 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Oil leak

Pass 15 Sep 2016 152,818 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end slightly misaligned (2.2.C.1b)

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

Offside Front Panhard rod synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

clutch pedal rubber missing

exhaust insecure at center joint

nut missing front prop shaft

os wiper don't return

Fail 14 Sep 2016 152,815 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear Anti-roll bar missing (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Track rod end slightly misaligned (2.2.C.1b)

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

Offside Front Panhard rod synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

clutch pedal rubber missing

exhaust insecure at center joint

nut missing front prop shaft

os wiper don't return

Pass 16 Sep 2015 145,666 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

fuel tank looks damp

oil leak

rear seat not fitted time of test

Pass 9 Jul 2013 140,322 miles

Lower steering column bush worn

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Steering damper bush worn

all tyres starting to perish

Fail 28 Jun 2013 140,313 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Power steering pump drive system defective (2.3.6)

Lower steering column bush worn

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Steering damper bush worn

all tyres starting to perish

Pass 27 Jun 2012 132,409 miles

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

battery insecure

Fail 14 Jun 2012 132,408 miles

Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Power steering pump drive system defective (2.3.6)

Towbar component insecure (6.6.1)

Battery insecure

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Fail 27 Jan 2011 132,403 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.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 Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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)

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

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

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

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

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

chassis both sides badly corroded

n/s/f wheel badly corroded

Pass 6 Aug 2009 121,965 miles

rear chassis both sides badly corroded

slight corrosion various areas underside of verhicle

Fail 5 Aug 2009 121,954 miles

Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe kinked (3.6.B.2b)

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Towbar retaining device missing (6.6.3a)

rear chassis both sides badly corroded

slight corrosion various areas underside of verhicle

Pass 4 Aug 2008 113,684 miles

front brake pads wearing thin

n/s/r door won't open from outside

rear chassis slightly corroded

Fail 29 Jul 2008 113,679 miles

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

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

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

front brake pads wearing thin

n/s/r door won't open from outside

rear chassis slightly corroded

Pass 27 Jul 2007 97,119 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2007 97,117 miles

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

Nearside Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of an upper wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of an upper wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

n/s/r door want open from outside

Pass 6 Jul 2006 82,183 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2006 82,183 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

front diff seal leaking

n/s/r door not opening from outside

n/s/r tyre has nail in it

no plates mounted high on vehicle

slight play o/s/f shock

steering column rubs on hoses under bonnet

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

F504 SWS is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 F504 SWS, 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 F504 SWS?

You can check the full history of F504 SWS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F504 SWS registered?

F504 SWS is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 July 1989.

Is F504 SWS safe to buy?

The MOT history for F504 SWS shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F504 SWS 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 F504 SWS. 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.