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F779 GMA

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Nov 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

130,510 mi
Last recorded130,510 miles
Recorded on14 Nov 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF779 GMA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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 12 fail
Pass 14 Nov 2025 130,510 miles

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

Pass 1 Nov 2024 130,336 miles

Central Front All four road wheels have corrosion mostly to the inner connections where the wheels are connected.

Central Front Bonnet very difficult to open via cable.

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive Lower sump has slight oil leaking issue. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Central Front Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel The steering has 75mm of free movement (2.3 (a) (i))

Central Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis front to rear both sides are heavily corroded, difficult to fully access due to sections of dirt. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Rear reflector not red in colour There has been paint on the rear reflector, causing limited view. (4.8.2 (a) (i))

The use of these head lamps makes the vehicles switch operation incorrect via the land rover initial specification.

Fail 28 Oct 2024 130,318 miles

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings Excessive movement on steering box lower arm ball joint. (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Front All four road wheels have corrosion mostly to the inner connections where the wheels are connected.

Central Front Bonnet very difficult to open via cable.

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive Lower sump has slight oil leaking issue. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Central Front Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel The steering has 75mm of free movement (2.3 (a) (i))

Central Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis front to rear both sides are heavily corroded, difficult to fully access due to sections of dirt. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Rear reflector not red in colour There has been paint on the rear reflector, causing limited view. (4.8.2 (a) (i))

The use of these head lamps makes the vehicles switch operation incorrect via the land rover initial specification.

Pass 23 Oct 2023 129,979 miles

Nearside Front Outer Wheel hub spigot mounting slightly worn slight play at wheel (5.2.1 (b) (i))

Central Front Outer Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread number plate cracked (0.1 (b))

Hazard warning switch faulty switch has no tell tale (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Exhaust mounting defective exhaust is touching control arm which leads to top of rear diff (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Outer Wheel hub spigot mounting slightly worn slight play at wheel (5.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 20 Oct 2023 129,979 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged metal brake pipe fouls road spring when on full right hand lock (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

Central Front Outer Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread number plate cracked (0.1 (b))

Hazard warning switch faulty switch has no tell tale (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Wheel hub spigot mounting slightly worn slight play at wheel (5.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Exhaust mounting defective exhaust is touching control arm which leads to top of rear diff (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Outer Wheel hub spigot mounting slightly worn slight play at wheel (5.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 25 Oct 2022 128,704 miles

Central Rear Parking brake only just passing the required 16% would comment brakes may need adjustment.

Fail 21 Sep 2022 128,641 miles

Central Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint modification unsafe REAR TRACK CONTROL BAR WHICH GOES ACROSS BETWEEN WHEELS IS LOOSE AT BOTH SIDES (2.1.3 (f) (i))

Central Front Outer Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt STEERING IDLER ARM BALL JOINT COVER IS LOOSE AND JOINT IS RUSTYAND HAS NO GREASE (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting CHASSIS OUTRIGGER HOLED AND WEAK---FLOOR ABOVE OUTRIGGER HOLED AND WEAK (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting REAR CROSSMEMBER HOLED AND WEAK (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Outer Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting CHASSIS OUTRIGGER HOLED AND WEAK---FLOOR ABOVE OUTRIGGER HOLED AND WEAK (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting CHASSIS OUTRIGGER HOLED AND WEAK---CONNECTION TO FLOOR IS ALSO CORRODED HOLED AND WEAK (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting REAR CROSSMEMBER HOLED AND WEAK (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp BRAKE LIGHT EFFECTED BY SIDE LIGHT (4.3.3 (b))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Central Rear Outer Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

FRONT AND REAR CHASSIS IS VERY RUSTY

FUEL TANK RUSTY THIN AND METAL WEAK

Nearside Front Outer Coil spring corroded SPRING VERY RUSTY (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Coil spring corroded SPRING VERY RUSTY (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer METAL WHEEL RIM DAMAGED

Pass 12 Oct 2021 127,977 miles

Nearside Front 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 8 Oct 2020 126,331 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Sep 2020 126,314 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting above chassis out rigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting above chassis out rigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Lower Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced rear bumper/chassis cross section (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Dec 2019 125,558 miles

Nearside Front 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 engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive front diff seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2018 124,648 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases and corroded along its length (6.1.2 (a))

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Dec 2017 123,550 miles
Pass 9 Dec 2016 122,320 miles

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering damper (2.2.C.1c)

Fail 9 Dec 2016 122,320 miles

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering damper (2.2.C.1c)

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

Pass 12 Dec 2015 120,956 miles
Fail 12 Dec 2015 120,956 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 31 Oct 2014 119,252 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Oct 2014 119,252 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Gearbox mounting defective

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

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

Pass 28 Nov 2013 117,970 miles

rear shock absorber top bushes worn

Fail 23 Nov 2013 117,970 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Nearside Front front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

rear shock absorber top bushes worn

Pass 21 Nov 2012 116,139 miles
Pass 28 Nov 2011 114,782 miles

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

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2010 110,920 miles

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 25 Nov 2010 110,920 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Front Headlamp affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

Nearside Front Headlamp affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

n/s front swivel hub oil seal leaking

Pass 25 Sep 2009 107,806 miles
Fail 22 Sep 2009 107,733 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 23 Sep 2008 98,714 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2007 90,272 miles

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

play in drive linewiper linkage worn oil leaks on engine

Fail 29 Sep 2007 90,195 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Radius arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Radius arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Pass 29 Nov 2006 84,268 miles

slight play in both rear wheel bearings

Fail 16 Oct 2006 84,240 miles

Front registration plate letter/figure incomplete (6.3.1c)

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a) DANGEROUS

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

Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.3) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

both sides front swivels pitting

Propshaft component defective

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

F779 GMA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 F779 GMA, 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 F779 GMA?

You can check the full history of F779 GMA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F779 GMA registered?

F779 GMA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 January 1989.

Is F779 GMA safe to buy?

The MOT history for F779 GMA shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F779 GMA 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 F779 GMA. 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.