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FD51 VAV

2001 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Oct 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

356,223 mi
Last recorded356,223 miles
Recorded on13 Oct 2025
Typical for 2001 Land Rover Defender94,644 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFD51 VAV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2001
ColourBlack
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 12 fail
Pass 13 Oct 2025 356,223 miles

Central Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Out rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Reverse light not working

Fail 9 Oct 2025 356,223 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn Upper axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Body component damaged and likely to cause injury Door (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Central Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Reverse light not working

Pass 8 Oct 2024 339,868 miles

Brake pedal feels spongey

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 3 Oct 2024 339,814 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Radius arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury Bulk head (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Body component damaged and likely to cause injury Door (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Radius arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake pedal feels spongey

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Sep 2023 319,309 miles

Central Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 2 Sep 2022 301,504 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2021 285,173 miles

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Fail 24 Aug 2021 285,173 miles

Central Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 20 Aug 2020 266,488 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Aug 2019 245,787 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 23 Aug 2019 245,495 miles

Fuel system component leaking FUEL FILTER (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Aug 2018 227,427 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 30 Aug 2018 227,427 miles

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Aug 2017 206,228 miles

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

Fail 24 Aug 2017 206,228 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Pass 26 Aug 2016 189,592 miles

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

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

Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a seal steering box (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 23 Jul 2015 171,353 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2015 171,353 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 17 Jul 2014 152,883 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2013 137,000 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Pass 6 Jul 2012 115,752 miles

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

Fail 25 Jun 2012 115,171 miles

Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

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

Pass 27 Jun 2011 97,915 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Fail 24 Jun 2011 97,915 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Fail 10 Jun 2010 77,606 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jun 2010 77,606 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)

Pass 9 Jun 2009 58,665 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Jun 2009 58,665 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Pass 11 Dec 2007 40,400 miles

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

o/s & n/s seat belts marked

Fail 10 Dec 2007 40,400 miles

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 10 Jan 2007 29,748 miles

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

FD51 VAV is a 2001 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

Across all 2001 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.0% with a typical mileage of 94,644 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 FD51 VAV, 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 25 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FD51 VAV?

You can check the full history of FD51 VAV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FD51 VAV registered?

FD51 VAV is a 2001 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 November 2001.

Is FD51 VAV safe to buy?

The MOT history for FD51 VAV shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FD51 VAV 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 FD51 VAV. 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.