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F581 RJH

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jun 2027
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

109,689 mi
Last recorded109,689 miles
Recorded on12 Jun 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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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF581 RJH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlue
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 16 fail
Pass 12 Jun 2026 109,689 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2026 109,683 miles

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

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Pass 16 Jun 2025 109,322 miles

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. nearside slower to react (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen wiper blade defective both deteriorated (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jun 2024 109,041 miles

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

Fail 11 Jun 2024 109,041 miles

All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp hazards coming on when indicating switch faults (4.4.3 (b))

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

Fail 23 May 2024 109,026 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Pass 23 May 2023 108,597 miles

Front Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated Front axle propshaft front U.J.. (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Fail 23 May 2023 108,597 miles

All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp all coming on if brake light is applied in conjunction with an indicator. (4.4.3 (b))

Front Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated Front axle propshaft front U.J.. (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 28 Apr 2022 108,038 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Apr 2022 108,031 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 25 May 2021 107,552 miles

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

Fail 21 May 2021 107,552 miles

Central Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Axle ball joint dust cover (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Front Axle insecure such that stability is impaired Axle support bush (5.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 27 Jan 2020 106,975 miles

Centre rear diff ball joint boot deteriorated.

Nearside Rear Wheel has slight bind

Offside Both dust cap/wheel centres missing

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

Pass 26 Feb 2019 106,748 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2019 106,748 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 28 Feb 2018 106,257 miles

Front Hubs damp

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Fail 26 Feb 2018 106,252 miles

Offside Front position lamp(s) has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.1.A.3b)

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front Hubs damp

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Pass 27 Feb 2017 106,001 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2014 105,588 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

both front tyres cracking

Fail 22 Oct 2014 105,576 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

both front tyres cracking

Pass 5 Nov 2013 105,154 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

very bad oil leak

Fail 26 Oct 2013 105,141 miles

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

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Rear Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

very bad oil leak

Pass 9 Nov 2012 104,686 miles

n/s/f road wheel damaged

o/s and n/s headlamp aims deteriorated

o/s and n/s/f metal brake pipes corroded

o/s/f seatbelt webbing damaged

o/s/r metal brake pipe corroded

rear axle diff ball joint rubber boot deteriorated

Fail 29 Oct 2012 104,667 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

n/s/f road wheel damaged

nearside front Trailing arm has play in bush

o/s and n/s headlamp aims deteriorated

o/s and n/s/f metal brake pipes corroded

o/s/f seatbelt webbing damaged

o/s/r metal brake pipe corroded

rear axle diff ball joint rubber boot deteriorated

Pass 11 Nov 2011 104,149 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

exhaust has part of the system deteriorated

headlamp aims deteriorated

o/s and n/s/f coil spring towers corroded

o/s and n/s/f metal brake pipes corroded

o/s anf n/s/r cross axle metal brake pipes corroded

o/s/f seat bealt webbing damaged

rear brake hose has corrosion to ferrules

rear chassis / rear crossmember corroded

Pass 11 Nov 2010 103,591 miles

exhaust has a leak of exhaust gases

exhaust has part of the system deteriorated

front propshaft bolt / bolts loose

lower steering u-j appears worn

n/s/f metal brake pipe corroded

o/s/f seatbelt webbing worn / damaged

rear chassis corroded

steering system has free play detected at steering wheel

Fail 9 Nov 2010 103,591 miles

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

exhaust has a leak of exhaust gases

exhaust has part of the system deteriorated

front propshaft bolt / bolts loose

lower steering u-j appears worn

n/s/f metal brake pipe corroded

o/s/f seatbelt webbing worn / damaged

rear chassis corroded

steering system has free play detected at steering wheel

Pass 10 Nov 2009 103,338 miles

Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

brake pipes corroded

o/s steering boot split

towbar mounting area corroded

Fail 6 Nov 2009 103,338 miles

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

brake pipes corroded

o/s steering boot split

towbar mounting area corroded

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 7 Nov 2008 102,953 miles

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

Suspension coil springs corroded

chassis and chassis outrigers corroded

rear brakes noisey

Fail 3 Nov 2008 102,953 miles

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

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Suspension coil springs corroded

chassis and chassis outrigers corroded

rear brakes noisey

Pass 7 Nov 2007 102,744 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Oil leak

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

both front tractor joints damp

n/s/r tyre damaged

o/s/r tyre perished

Pass 7 Nov 2006 102,509 miles

both front tractor joints damp

both rear tyres aged

Fail 4 Nov 2006 102,474 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2005 100,552 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2005 100,552 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

o/s/r road wheel oil contaminated †both front trackter joints oil contaminated

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

F581 RJH is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 F581 RJH, 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 F581 RJH?

You can check the full history of F581 RJH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F581 RJH registered?

F581 RJH is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 4 July 1989.

Is F581 RJH safe to buy?

The MOT history for F581 RJH shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F581 RJH 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 F581 RJH. 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.