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F896 LYJ

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires6 Apr 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

93,651 mi
Last recorded93,651 miles
Recorded on7 Apr 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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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF896 LYJ
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 7 Apr 2025 93,651 miles

Front Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 6 Oct 2023 92,960 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jun 2022 92,830 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Aug 2020 92,366 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2019 91,872 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2017 89,640 miles

all front brake pipes corroding

exhaust corroding

o/s/r top shocker bush started to split

some play in both front wheel bearings

Fail 20 Apr 2017 89,637 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

all front brake pipes corroding

exhaust corroding

o/s/r top shocker bush started to split

some play in both front wheel bearings

Pass 11 Apr 2016 85,022 miles
Pass 1 Apr 2015 83,645 miles

All over body damage

Bonnet hinge pins worn

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

Fuel pump damp

Nearside Front position lamp(s) damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Oil Leaks

Signs of chassis corrosion

Slight play in nearside front lower swivel joint

Underbody muddy

Fail 30 Mar 2015 83,645 miles

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

All over body damage

Bonnet hinge pins worn

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

Fuel pump damp

Nearside Front position lamp(s) damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Oil Leaks

Signs of chassis corrosion

Underbody muddy

Pass 14 Apr 2014 83,289 miles

Front to rear metal brake pipe corroded

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

Nearside front wheel rim slight damage to bead

Oil leaks

Slight play in offside front lower swivel joint.

Fail 10 Apr 2014 83,289 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Speedometer cannot be illuminated. (6.7.3)

Front to rear metal brake pipe corroded

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

Nearside front wheel rim slight damage to bead

Oil leaks

Pass 18 Apr 2013 82,974 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

exhaust rusty

signs of accident damage to vehicle

Fail 9 Apr 2013 82,974 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Lower Trailing arm locating pin locking pin locking device not properly locked (2.4.G.3b)

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

Offside Front Lower Trailing arm locating pin locking pin locking device not properly locked (2.4.G.3b)

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

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

Speedometer cannot be illuminated. (6.7.3)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

exhaust rusty

signs of accident damage to vehicle

Pass 12 Apr 2012 82,974 miles

allround body damage

front metal brake pipes starting to corrode

Fail 28 Mar 2012 82,974 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside (3.7.C.2)

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

allround body damage

front metal brake pipes starting to corrode

Pass 21 Apr 2011 82,974 miles

allround body damage

exhaust front pipe loose

offside front top hub swival bearing has some slight play in it

Fail 6 Apr 2011 82,974 miles

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

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

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

allround body damage

front exhaust pipe loose

offside front top hub swival bearing has some slight play in it

Pass 30 Mar 2010 82,974 miles

all over body damage

both rear chassis legs corroded but not in prescribed area

offside and nearside front trailing arm bushes worn

Fail 18 Mar 2010 82,974 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Panhard rod synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

all over body damage

both rear chassis legs corroded but not in prescribed area

offside and nearside front trailing arm bushes worn

Pass 7 Apr 2009 82,131 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

nearside front tyre starting to split and perish

slight play in steering joints

slight seapage from offside rear hub seal

Pass 26 Mar 2008 80,046 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

long travel in hand brake

Fail 25 Mar 2008 80,046 miles

Front registration plate letter/figure incomplete (6.3.1c)

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

Offside Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps (1.7.4b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear registration plate faded (6.3.1d)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

long travel in hand brake

Pass 16 Mar 2007 78,057 miles

Oil leak

both outer door steps damaged

offside door mirror cracked

signs of corrosion to body and underside of vehicle

slight leak from both front swivel hubs

Pass 31 Mar 2006 76,166 miles

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

near side rear bump stop missing.

oil leak

propshaft defective

rear brakes slight unbalance

reverse light not working

Fail 23 Mar 2006 76,166 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Front Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1)

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

nearside rear bump stop missing

oil leak

propshaft defective

reverse light not working.

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

F896 LYJ is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 F896 LYJ, 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 F896 LYJ?

You can check the full history of F896 LYJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F896 LYJ registered?

F896 LYJ is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 12 May 1989.

Is F896 LYJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for F896 LYJ shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F896 LYJ 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 F896 LYJ. 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.