CarVerify

Free Car Check

F780 JSS

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Apr 2027
Tests38 (21 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate55.3%

Mileage

123,471 mi
Last recorded123,471 miles
Recorded on30 Apr 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationF780 JSS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourRed
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

21 pass 17 fail
Pass 30 Apr 2026 123,471 miles

Front diff leaking

Fail 17 Apr 2026 123,370 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Front diff leaking

Pass 23 Apr 2025 116,126 miles
Pass 21 Mar 2024 113,422 miles

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

Fail 13 Mar 2024 113,413 miles

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2023 111,223 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Mar 2023 111,223 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2022 108,750 miles
Fail 15 Mar 2022 108,745 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated hub seal leaking (1.1.14 (b))

Nearside Front Road wheel more than one fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering wheel likely to become detached (2.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 12 Apr 2021 108,699 miles

both front floors rusty by body mounts

Fail 7 Apr 2021 108,696 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

both front floors rusty by body mounts

Pass 31 Mar 2020 108,473 miles

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

Fail 31 Mar 2020 108,473 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2019 107,829 miles

Both front stub axles have play in the bottom

Fail 4 Apr 2019 107,829 miles

Both front stub axles have play in the bottom

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 16 Mar 2018 106,057 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2018 106,057 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 10 Apr 2017 105,079 miles

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

Pass 12 Apr 2016 104,095 miles
Fail 12 Apr 2016 104,095 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 30 Mar 2015 102,641 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2015 102,641 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Panhard rod attachment bracket/mounting nut missing (2.4.G.1)

Pass 3 Apr 2014 100,530 miles

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

Fail 2 Apr 2014 100,520 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 23 Mar 2013 99,300 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2013 99,300 miles

Inner Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 28 Mar 2012 97,490 miles

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

Fail 27 Mar 2012 97,490 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 21 Mar 2011 96,589 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2011 96,589 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 7 Apr 2010 95,442 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2009 92,541 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 1 Apr 2009 92,541 miles

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

Pass 13 Mar 2008 91,345 miles

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

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

Fail 13 Mar 2008 91,345 miles

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 13 Apr 2007 90,519 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2006 88,418 miles
Fail 26 Jan 2006 88,418 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

F780 JSS is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 38 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.3%.

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 F780 JSS, 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 F780 JSS?

You can check the full history of F780 JSS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F780 JSS registered?

F780 JSS is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 18 May 1989.

Is F780 JSS safe to buy?

The MOT history for F780 JSS shows 38 tests with a 55.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F780 JSS 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 F780 JSS. 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.