CarVerify

Free Car Check

F918 HYA

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jun 2027
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

285,186 mi
Last recorded285,186 miles
Recorded on8 Jun 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationF918 HYA
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

18 pass 13 fail
Pass 8 Jun 2026 285,186 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Jun 2025 270,292 miles

Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Pannard rod (yellow one) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Hub seal has seepage

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Jun 2025 270,290 miles

Steering box drop arm likely to become detached (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering column universal joint likely to become detached On steering box (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Pannard rod (yellow one) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Hub seal has seepage

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Jun 2024 260,223 miles

Nearside Front Hub seal has slight seepage

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

Nearside Rear Hub seal has slight seepage

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 7 Jun 2023 254,298 miles

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

Nearside Rear Hub seal leaking

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Front input slight movement (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 31 May 2023 254,293 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc contaminated Hub seal (1.1.14 (b))

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

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Hub seal leaking

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Front input slight movement (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 26 May 2022 244,758 miles

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Sep 2020 232,649 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn OIL LEAK (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside OUTRIGGER CORRODED

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Fail 15 Sep 2020 232,641 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Sub-frame ball joint excessively worn FALKREM BALL JOINT (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking and braking performance affected (1.1.16 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering box fixing bolts ineffective to the extent that attachment is seriously affected (2.1.2 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn OIL LEAK (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside OUTRIGGER CORRODED

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

PLAY IN GREABOX OUTPUT SHAFT FRONT

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Pass 20 Aug 2018 218,987 miles

Nearside Front swivel leaking

Offside Front chassis leg holed

Offside Front seat belt has slight damage

Rear a frame ball joint has slight play

Rear bump stops missing

Rear chassis rails in poor condition and have heavy surface corrosion

Fail 16 Aug 2018 218,965 miles

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

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front transfer box output shaft pinion has slight play

Horn not a continuous or uniform sound (7.7 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front swivel leaking

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

Offside Front chassis leg holed

Offside Front seat belt has slight damage

Rear a frame ball joint has slight play

Rear bump stops missing

Rear chassis rails in poor condition and have heavy surface corrosion

Pass 17 Jul 2017 204,479 miles

nearside front swivel leaking

offside rear bumpstop missing

rear chassis rails corroded offside and nearside

Fail 10 Jul 2017 204,377 miles

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear hub seal leaking

nearside front swivel leaking

offside rear bumpstop missing

rear chassis rails corroded offside and nearside

Pass 1 Jul 2016 189,563 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2016 189,563 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

osf wheel bearing noisy

Pass 24 Jun 2015 178,476 miles

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

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

Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

n earside headlight reflector corroded

nearside front hub seal leaking

passenger seat base slightly loose

rear crossmember and chassis rails corroded and patched

Fail 24 Jun 2015 178,476 miles

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

Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

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

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

Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

n earside headlight reflector corroded

nearside front hub seal leaking

passenger seat base slightly loose

rear crossmember and chassis rails corroded and patched

Pass 10 Jun 2014 169,055 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)

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

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

leak from nearside front hub

rear exhaust box is deteriorating

welded repairs to vehicle

Fail 4 Jun 2014 169,050 miles

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

Power steering inoperative (2.3.3a) DANGEROUS

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)

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

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

leak from nearside front hub

rear exhaust box is deteriorating

welded repairs to vehicle

Pass 24 May 2013 155,239 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)

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

Fail 15 May 2013 155,239 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Steering system excessively rough (2.2.D.1)

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

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)

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

offside front hub is leaking

Pass 29 Nov 2011 135,697 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

different size tyres fitted on front and rear axles

Fail 25 Nov 2011 135,697 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Nearside rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

nearside rear back plate damp

Pass 10 Dec 2010 124,344 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 19 Nov 2009 114,551 miles

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

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

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

Fail 11 Nov 2009 114,476 miles

Nearside Front passenger seat insecure (6.2.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Towbar component excessively corroded (6.6.1)

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

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

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

Fail 17 Nov 2008 107,808 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Nov 2008 107,808 miles

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

Pass 24 Sep 2007 98,209 miles
Pass 6 Oct 2006 89,819 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2006 89,815 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

F918 HYA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

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 F918 HYA, 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 F918 HYA?

You can check the full history of F918 HYA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F918 HYA registered?

F918 HYA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 17 July 1989.

Is F918 HYA safe to buy?

The MOT history for F918 HYA shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F918 HYA 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 F918 HYA. 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.