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G251 SPN

1989 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Feb 2027
Tests23 (16 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate69.6%

Mileage

180,438 mi
Last recorded180,438 miles
Recorded on29 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationG251 SPN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
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

16 pass 7 fail
Pass 29 Jan 2026 180,438 miles
Pass 4 Feb 2025 178,881 miles

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

Pass 2 Feb 2024 174,866 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced footwell and battery tray (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

Fail 22 Jan 2024 174,865 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced next to radius arm mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged brake hose bracket (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated axle oil seal leak (1.1.14 (b))

Fluid leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced footwell and battery tray (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

Pass 16 Jan 2023 169,028 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Feb 2022 165,746 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front and rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

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

corrosion to rear crossmember

offside front trackrod end ball joint dust cover perishing

Pass 8 Jan 2021 164,106 miles

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

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated both (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play swing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

all four tyres perishing

rear chassis corroded

Pass 15 Aug 2019 159,558 miles

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated both (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

corrosion to rear chassis

offside front trackrod end ball joint dust cover perishing

play in rear suspension swing arm ball joint

Pass 15 Jun 2018 151,793 miles

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

Pass 23 May 2017 145,695 miles

vehicle has corrosion

Pass 8 Apr 2016 145,392 miles

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

Fail 31 Mar 2016 145,392 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake hose inappropriately repaired (3.6.A.3)

Offside Front Brake hose stretched (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

Fail 12 Feb 2016 145,369 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded axle (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2014 143,125 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2013 137,077 miles

Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Prop-shaft flange bolt(s) loose/missing

rear center flexy adrift

Fail 10 Apr 2013 137,072 miles

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

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h) DANGEROUS

Steering column universal joint locking device missing (2.1.6) DANGEROUS

Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Prop-shaft flange bolt(s) loose/missing

rear center flexy adrift

Pass 16 May 2011 132,293 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

brake travel on limits

n/s/f oil leak

rear mounting clamp and rubber missing from exhaust

Fail 4 May 2011 132,172 miles

Centre Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

brake travel on limits

n/s/f oil leak

o/s/f and o/s/r and n/s/f tyres perished

rear mounting clamp and rubber missing from exhaust

Pass 16 Apr 2010 128,374 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2010 128,370 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) missing (1.1.A.3a)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 22 Jul 2008 125,409 miles

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

Fail 3 Jun 2008 125,392 miles

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

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 24 Oct 2006 120,552 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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G251 SPN is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.6%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 G251 SPN, 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 G251 SPN?

You can check the full history of G251 SPN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G251 SPN registered?

G251 SPN is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is G251 SPN safe to buy?

The MOT history for G251 SPN shows 23 tests with a 69.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G251 SPN 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 G251 SPN. 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.