CarVerify

Free Car Check

G117 KAG

1989 Land Rover Defender

Beige Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jan 2027
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

117,236 mi
Last recorded117,236 miles
Recorded on14 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationG117 KAG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBeige
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 14 Jan 2026 117,236 miles
Pass 15 Jan 2025 117,060 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2024 117,060 miles

Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear hub seal leaking

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across axle (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported across axle (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Rear hub seal leaking

Pass 23 Dec 2023 116,574 miles
Pass 14 Dec 2022 113,414 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2019 113,288 miles

Front cross bar corroded but outside prescribed area

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak but not dripping

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

Rear valance corroded

Surface rust on underside of vehicle

Fail 5 Jun 2019 113,288 miles

Front cross bar corroded but outside prescribed area

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Oil leak but not dripping

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

Rear valance corroded

Surface rust on underside of vehicle

Pass 7 Feb 2018 112,935 miles

Central Strengthening Cross Beam Corroding

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Front passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Arm to Axle (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear Tyre Heavily Perishing

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Arm to Axle (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Fail 6 Feb 2018 112,934 miles

Electrical wiring inadequately supported Tow Bar Connector (1.9.2a)

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Central Strengthening Cross Beam Corroding

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Front passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Arm to Axle (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear Tyre Heavily Perishing

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Arm to Axle (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

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

Pass 7 Feb 2017 110,956 miles

Central Strengthening beam corroded

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

Nearside Rear Tyre heavily perished

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Fail 1 Feb 2017 110,954 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Power steering inoperative (2.3.3a)

Central Strengthening beam corroded

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

Nearside Rear Tyre heavily perished

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Pass 4 Feb 2016 108,970 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

corrosion to prescribed areas but not considered excessive at time of test

Fail 26 Jan 2016 108,962 miles

Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Hazard warning switch insecure (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c) DANGEROUS

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i) DANGEROUS

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

corrosion to prescribed areas but not considered excessive at time of test

Pass 26 Jan 2015 104,983 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 21 Jan 2015 104,983 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 7 Jan 2014 102,172 miles

4x tyres cracking due to age

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 20 Dec 2013 102,144 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

4x tyres cracking due to age

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 27 Nov 2012 99,335 miles

Suspect steering fluid leak

Fail 27 Nov 2012 99,335 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Suspect steering fluid leak

Pass 26 Jun 2012 98,000 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2011 56,773 miles
Fail 22 Nov 2011 96,773 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Power steering inoperative (2.3.3a) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 23 Nov 2010 93,264 miles

PRESCRIBED AREAS CORRODED BUT NOT CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE AT TIME OF TEST

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

UNDERBODY COVERED IN MUD

Pass 9 Nov 2009 90,050 miles

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

Fail 9 Nov 2009 90,050 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Fail 9 Nov 2009 90,050 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 8 Oct 2008 88,318 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2008 88,318 miles

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Pass 26 Sep 2007 86,530 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2007 86,503 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Pass 28 Sep 2006 84,831 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2006 84,831 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Sep 2005 82,853 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

G117 KAG is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Beige 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 G117 KAG, 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 G117 KAG?

You can check the full history of G117 KAG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G117 KAG registered?

G117 KAG is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 4 August 1989.

Is G117 KAG safe to buy?

The MOT history for G117 KAG 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 G117 KAG 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 G117 KAG. 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.