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F551 XFV

1989 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Dec 2026
Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

177,221 mi
Last recorded177,221 miles
Recorded on10 Dec 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF551 XFV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

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 10 fail
Pass 10 Dec 2025 177,221 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Nov 2024 175,104 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive diesel leak on engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Nov 2024 175,104 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive diesel leak on engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively o/s and n/s (3.4 (b) (ii))

Pass 15 Nov 2023 173,275 miles
Fail 15 Nov 2023 173,275 miles

Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which significantly reduces light intensity o/s and n/s (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected lens broken (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 29 Nov 2022 172,181 miles
Fail 29 Nov 2022 172,181 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Nov 2021 170,942 miles
Fail 24 Nov 2021 170,942 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 23 Nov 2020 169,559 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced out rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Pass 2 Dec 2019 167,781 miles

no warning lights on dash time of test

o/s/f top joint slight play

Pass 20 Oct 2018 166,691 miles

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

Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front outrigger has slight corrosion

Nearside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 Oct 2018 166,690 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outrigger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.3.1 (b) (ii))

Power steering malfunctioning (2.1.5 (a))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering locking device ineffective drop arm nut loose (2.1.3 (d))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front outrigger has slight corrosion

Nearside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2017 163,693 miles

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

slight play in osf swivel joint

Pass 12 Nov 2016 159,776 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

n/s/f swivel slight leak

oil leak from steering box

Fail 12 Nov 2016 159,776 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

n/s/f swivel slight leak

oil leak from steering box

Pass 29 Dec 2015 158,793 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Pass 6 Dec 2014 158,211 miles

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

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

nearside swivel leaking

Fail 6 Dec 2014 158,211 miles

Nearside Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g)

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

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

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

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

nearside swivel leaking

Pass 14 Dec 2013 157,457 miles

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 9 Dec 2013 157,447 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

Pass 30 Oct 2012 153,765 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2012 149,027 miles

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

Fail 24 Apr 2012 149,027 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Pass 29 Mar 2011 141,696 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Offside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 31 Mar 2010 134,046 miles

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

Pass 2 Mar 2009 125,377 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2008 117,758 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2007 109,945 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2007 109,933 miles

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

Pass 7 Mar 2006 101,648 miles

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

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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F551 XFV is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

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 F551 XFV, 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 F551 XFV?

You can check the full history of F551 XFV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F551 XFV registered?

F551 XFV is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 February 1989.

Is F551 XFV safe to buy?

The MOT history for F551 XFV shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F551 XFV 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 F551 XFV. 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.