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G285 PAL

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Nov 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

168,542 mi
Last recorded168,542 miles
Recorded on14 Nov 2025
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationG285 PAL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlue
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 14 Nov 2025 168,542 miles

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 23 Feb 2024 166,117 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 16 Feb 2024 166,117 miles

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Feb 2023 165,476 miles

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

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))

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

Fail 10 Feb 2023 165,476 miles

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Axle insecure such that stability is impaired (5.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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))

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

Pass 16 Nov 2021 164,796 miles

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

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

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 12 Nov 2020 163,257 miles

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Nov 2020 163,257 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Nov 2019 163,167 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2018 163,034 miles

All brake dirt covers missing

Non standard front bumper

Vehicle modified

Vehicle shakes on idle

Wiring in engine bay untidy

Pass 18 Mar 2017 160,951 miles

All brake covers missing

Non standard front bumper

Vehicle modified

Vehicle shakes on idle

wiring in engine bay messy

Fail 13 Mar 2017 160,951 miles

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

All brake covers missing

Non standard front bumper

Vehicle modified

Vehicle shakes on idle

wiring in engine bay messy

Pass 30 Mar 2016 159,931 miles

Bonnet release Lever Stiff Operating

Brake pipe slightly corroded Main Front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

oil leak

Pass 13 Jan 2015 154,104 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2014 16,294 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2014 16,294 miles

Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

Fuel hose insecure (7.2.1)

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

Nearside Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Rear Wheel nut(s) loose (4.2.A.1e)

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Pass 4 Apr 2012 153,004 miles

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Fail 4 Apr 2012 153,004 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Pass 12 Apr 2011 140,207 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Propshaft component defective

Fail 12 Apr 2011 140,207 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.5)

Offside Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Propshaft component defective

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 14 Apr 2010 131,095 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Oil leak

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

Pass 19 Feb 2009 122,507 miles

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Oil leak

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

Fail 4 Mar 2008 116,389 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 4 Mar 2008 116,389 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Oct 2006 108,773 miles

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

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

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

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

several bushes, front radius arm bushes, front shock absorber.

Fail 9 Oct 2006 108,773 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Offside Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

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

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

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

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

several bushes, front radius arm bushes, front shock absorber.

Pass 17 Oct 2005 101,671 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2005 101,671 miles

Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Track rod end socket spring weak (2.2.B.1e)

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

Nearside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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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G285 PAL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 G285 PAL, 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 G285 PAL?

You can check the full history of G285 PAL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G285 PAL registered?

G285 PAL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is G285 PAL safe to buy?

The MOT history for G285 PAL shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G285 PAL 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 G285 PAL. 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.