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FJ52 VKE

2002 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Aug 2027
Tests33 (22 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

156,534 mi
Last recorded156,534 miles
Recorded on30 Jul 2026
Typical for 2002 Land Rover Defender91,689 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFJ52 VKE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2002
ColourGreen
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

22 pass 11 fail
Pass 30 Jul 2026 156,534 miles

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

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front hub seal slight leak

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

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 28 Jul 2026 156,533 miles

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

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

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front hub seal slight leak

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

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 30 Jul 2025 150,810 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive several leaks from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Steering box arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 29 Jul 2025 150,801 miles

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear near rear hose (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive several leaks from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Steering box arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 2 Aug 2024 147,128 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2023 144,539 miles

Corrosion to chassis

Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Nearside and offside weeping grease (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Front prop rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 4 Aug 2022 143,396 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Aug 2022 143,396 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Jul 2021 142,866 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 16 Jul 2020 141,148 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

chassis covered in under seal

Fail 7 May 2020 141,409 miles

Front Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

chassis in covered in under seal

Pass 17 May 2019 140,554 miles

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

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

all suspension parts corroded

chassis undersealed

offside and nearside rear chassis/outrigger ends corroded

Pass 16 May 2018 138,888 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt track arm (2.2.C.1c)

both front swivel hubs leaking

engine oil leak

g/box leak

general corrosion

Fail 9 May 2018 138,884 miles

Ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt pitman arm from steering box (2.2.C.1c)

Brake performance not tested disc contamination (3.7.A.1)

Central Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by grease (3.5.1h)

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt track arm (2.2.C.1c)

both front swivel hubs leaking

engine oil leak

g/box leak

general corrosion

Pass 10 May 2017 138,363 miles

Oil leak

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 5 May 2017 138,360 miles

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

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

Oil leak

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 16 Mar 2016 137,689 miles

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

brake performance only just met minimum requirements 50%

Fail 16 Mar 2016 137,689 miles

Offside Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

brake performance only just met minimum requirements 50%

Pass 23 Mar 2015 135,261 miles

Oil leak

both front cv's leaking grease

differental pinion oil seal weeping

fuel filter housing is damp but no visable leaks detected

Pass 18 Feb 2014 129,957 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 10 Dec 2012 124,195 miles

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

Pass 10 Dec 2012 124,195 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2011 115,355 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2010 107,821 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2009 99,552 miles

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

engine oil leaks

nsf swivel joint slight oil leak

Fail 2 Nov 2009 99,544 miles

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

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

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

engine oil leaks

nsf swivel joint slight oil leak

Pass 27 Aug 2009 99,238 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2008 909,073 miles
Fail 21 Aug 2008 90,821 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

nearside front swivel housing seal leaking

Pass 10 Aug 2007 78,767 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

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

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

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

Nsr body damaged †rear No plate seperating

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

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

Pass 4 Aug 2006 60,914 miles
Fail 2 Aug 2006 60,914 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 16 Sep 2005 46,829 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

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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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FJ52 VKE is a 2002 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 2002 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.1% with a typical mileage of 91,689 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 FJ52 VKE, 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 24 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 FJ52 VKE?

You can check the full history of FJ52 VKE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FJ52 VKE registered?

FJ52 VKE is a 2002 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 21 September 2002.

Is FJ52 VKE safe to buy?

The MOT history for FJ52 VKE shows 33 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FJ52 VKE 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 FJ52 VKE. 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.