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F603 BWO

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Oct 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

201,453 mi
Last recorded201,453 miles
Recorded on23 Oct 2025
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF603 BWO
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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 23 Oct 2025 201,453 miles

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

Fail 10 Oct 2025 201,453 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested fluid leaking (1.2.1 (g))

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 1 Jul 2024 201,251 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Jun 2024 201,242 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Nov 2022 200,947 miles
Pass 25 Nov 2021 197,910 miles

Fuel Tank support corroded

Fail 24 Nov 2021 197,909 miles

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

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

Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Power steering ram leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Fuel Tank support corroded

Pass 18 Nov 2020 196,325 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2020 196,325 miles

Nearside Rear Axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

Nearside 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))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Steering arm deformed to the extent that steering is affected (2.1.3 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 19 Nov 2019 194,904 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 23 Nov 2018 192,537 miles
Pass 25 Nov 2017 188,407 miles

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

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

Oil leak ()

Propshaft universal joint worn ()

rusty chassis

slight play in n/s/f + both rear wheel bearings

Fail 17 Nov 2017 188,407 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

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

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

Offside Front Upper Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Propshaft universal joint worn ()

rusty chassis

slight play in n/s/f + both rear wheel bearings

Pass 16 Feb 2017 183,693 miles

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

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

power steering box damp + pipe damp.

rusty chassis

rusty front brake pipes

slight play in n/s/r wheel bearing.

wipers not working on full speed

Fail 11 Feb 2017 183,693 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

power steering box damp + pipe damp.

rusty chassis

rusty front brake pipes

slight play in n/s/r wheel bearing.

wipers not working on full speed

Pass 9 Feb 2016 174,788 miles

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

Pass 19 Feb 2015 165,762 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

front diff prop flange has a leak

rear diff prop flange has a leak

Fail 18 Feb 2015 165,762 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

front diff prop flange has a leak

rear diff prop flange has a leak

turbo pipe clip loose

Pass 28 Feb 2014 160,433 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Feb 2013 158,411 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2012 158,404 miles

Centre Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted (7.4.B.1)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 26 Sep 2011 157,127 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2011 157,127 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

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

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

Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Pass 21 Sep 2010 151,185 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 9 Sep 2010 151,115 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 15 Jul 2010 151,059 miles

Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

Pass 23 May 2009 147,477 miles
Pass 2 May 2008 142,046 miles

slight leak from near side front hub seal &power steering pump area

Pass 1 May 2007 136,849 miles

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

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

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

Fail 30 Apr 2007 136,849 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

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

Pass 17 May 2006 123,201 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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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F603 BWO is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 F603 BWO, 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 F603 BWO?

You can check the full history of F603 BWO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F603 BWO registered?

F603 BWO is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 10 April 1989.

Is F603 BWO safe to buy?

The MOT history for F603 BWO shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F603 BWO 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 F603 BWO. 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.