CarVerify

Free Car Check

G261 RFL

1990 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Nov 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

72,177 mi
Last recorded72,177 miles
Recorded on13 Nov 2025
Typical for 1990 Land Rover Defender127,503 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 £9.99

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

RegistrationG261 RFL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1990
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 9 fail
Pass 13 Nov 2025 72,177 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play "A" frame. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Nov 2024 70,536 miles

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage Across front lower cross member. (2.1.5 (a))

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Drop arm. (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Nov 2024 70,523 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage Across front lower cross member. (2.1.5 (a))

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Drop arm. (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Nov 2023 69,356 miles

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All perishing. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 24 Nov 2023 69,344 miles

Rear Prop shaft bearing likely to break up Rear U/J. (6.1.7 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All perishing. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 24 Nov 2022 67,010 miles

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

Nearside Front Hub/swivel oil leak

Nearside Front Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, gearbox and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 17 Nov 2022 67,002 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Hub/swivel oil leak

Nearside Front Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, gearbox and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 27 Sep 2021 66,990 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel system component leaking fuel tank area (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced windscreen pillar rotten and holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the cab is impaired footwell area (6.2.2 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

number plate light only has 1 led working

Pass 11 Nov 2019 66,761 miles

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

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

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

Fail 5 Nov 2019 66,743 miles

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

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn sway bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play u/j below servo (2.2.2 (c))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 31 Jan 2015 45,245 miles

Oil leak

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

Pass 5 Jun 2014 45,226 miles

Oil leak

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

Pass 14 Nov 2013 45,007 miles

Exhaust system deteriorating

Nearside front drag link end ball joint gaiter deteriorating

Slight play in offside front wheel bearing

Various oil weeps

Pass 16 Nov 2012 42,805 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

P A S pipes insecure n/s/f

engine oil leak

gearbox oil leak

n/s/f hub leaking oil

n/s/r mudguard insecure

steering lock coming on with key still in ignition

Fail 9 Nov 2012 42,780 miles

Centre Rear Upper Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

P A S pipes insecure n/s/f

engine oil leak

gearbox oil leak

n/s/f hub leaking oil

n/s/r mudguard insecure

steering lock coming on with key still in ignition

Pass 8 Nov 2011 42,188 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

engine leaking oil

gearbox leaking oil

o/s/f hub leaking oil

Fail 2 Nov 2011 42,188 miles

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

engine leaking oil

gearbox leaking oil

o/s/f hub leaking oil

Pass 30 Jun 2010 37,054 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2009 36,046 miles

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

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

alternator loose

offside front wheel box leaking

unable to open offside rear door

Fail 16 Sep 2009 36,021 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

alternator loose

offside front wheel box leaking

unable to open offside rear door

Pass 27 Aug 2008 33,277 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2007 31,733 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2007 31,733 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2006 29,637 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2005 26,615 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

G261 RFL is a 1990 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1990 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.7% with a typical mileage of 127,503 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 G261 RFL, 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 36 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 G261 RFL?

You can check the full history of G261 RFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G261 RFL registered?

G261 RFL is a 1990 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 2 July 1990.

Is G261 RFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for G261 RFL shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G261 RFL 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 G261 RFL. 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.