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F938 WEL

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Nov 2026
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

102,261 mi
Last recorded102,261 miles
Recorded on4 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

RegistrationF938 WEL
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 14 fail
Pass 4 Nov 2025 102,261 miles

Central Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all central bushes perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Various brake pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Various Corrosion On Chassis And Suspension

Pass 14 Nov 2024 101,981 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Various Pipes. (1.1.11 (c))

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

Various Corrosion On Chassis And Suspension.

Fail 7 Nov 2024 101,981 miles

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

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system grabbing severely (1.3.1 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Various Pipes. (1.1.11 (c))

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

Various Corrosion On Chassis And Suspension.

Pass 1 Nov 2023 101,267 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All Pipes. Strong Advisory! (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded All Springs. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both Rear Upper. (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 1 Nov 2023 101,267 miles

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All Pipes. Strong Advisory! (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded All Springs. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both Rear Upper. (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 24 Nov 2022 100,773 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Various Pipes. (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded All Springs. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Aug 2021 100,461 miles

Rear shock absorbers deteriorated ( bushes perished )

all suspension springs corroded

suspension and steering rubber dust covers deteriorated

various brake pipes rusty and deteriorated

Fail 28 Aug 2021 100,461 miles

Rear shock absorbers deteriorated ( bushes perished )

all suspension springs corroded

suspension and steering rubber dust covers deteriorated

various brake pipes rusty and deteriorated

Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety (8.4.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 10 Sep 2019 99,752 miles

Front brake discs deteriorated

Offside Rear wheel has a slight bind (possible wheel cylinder leaking

exhaust deteriorated and tail pipe has a slight leak of exhaust gasses

fluid leak engine area

steering arm rubber dust covers deteriorated

various brake pipes corroded

Pass 12 Sep 2018 98,679 miles

all brake pipes rusty

back box of exhaust has a hole in the tailpipe

exhaust system corroded

Fail 12 Sep 2018 98,679 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

all brake pipes rusty

back box of exhaust has a hole in the tailpipe

exhaust system corroded

Pass 22 Sep 2017 97,776 miles

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

Fail 19 Sep 2017 97,757 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 4 Nov 2016 96,940 miles

Slight play in front suspension arm bushes

rear trailing arm bushes perishing

slight corrosion to rear chassis rail both sides

Fail 12 Sep 2016 96,935 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Centre Rear Trailing arm has slight play in a ball joint on top of axle (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak ()

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

Pass 18 Sep 2015 96,330 miles

engine is leaking oil

Fail 17 Sep 2015 96,328 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

engine is leaking oil

rear hubs leaking oil

Pass 5 Sep 2014 95,479 miles

Oil leak

Fail 5 Sep 2014 95,479 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 30 Aug 2013 95,327 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak

rear hub seals slightly leaking

Fail 29 Aug 2013 95,327 miles

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak

rear hub seals slightly leaking

Pass 15 Sep 2012 95,135 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak

nearside front body has slight corrosion

Fail 29 Aug 2012 95,125 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 25 Aug 2011 94,918 miles

chip in windscreen

nearside rear bumpstop missing

slight cracking to both front brake flexis

slight play in steering coupling

Fail 16 Aug 2011

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

chip in windscreen

nearside rear bumpstop missing

slight cracking to both front brake flexis

slight play in steering coupling

Pass 26 Aug 2010 94,190 miles

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

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Fail 16 Aug 2010 94,136 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

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

Pass 18 Aug 2009 90,405 miles

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

Pass 5 Aug 2008 90,379 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2007 86,045 miles

avisory items still apply

Fail 1 Aug 2007 86,045 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Oil leak

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

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

steering drop arm gaiter split

Pass 2 Aug 2006 84,544 miles

advisory items still apply

Fail 1 Aug 2006 84,544 miles

Nearside Front Side repeater insecure (1.4.A.2b)

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

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

Nearside Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

drag link end doot damaged

front prop play in shaft

n/s front seat in poor condition

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.

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F938 WEL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

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 F938 WEL, 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 F938 WEL?

You can check the full history of F938 WEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F938 WEL registered?

F938 WEL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 8 February 1989.

Is F938 WEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for F938 WEL shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F938 WEL 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 F938 WEL. 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.