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G491 VFE

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Nov 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

55,588 mi
Last recorded55,588 miles
Recorded on29 Oct 2025
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationG491 VFE
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

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 29 Oct 2025 55,588 miles

Offside Front arm mount corroded

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2024 54,058 miles
Pass 20 Nov 2023 52,755 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2022 51,394 miles

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear brake pipe corroded at rear joint (1.1.11 (c))

Tyre slightly damaged all tyres rubbing to side walls / side walls slightly damaged (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 12 Nov 2021 50,507 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2020 48,596 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2020 48,586 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged rubbing on tyre (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt on drag link (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Pass 26 Nov 2019 47,829 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn swivel housing pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front swivel joint seal bracket corroded slightly

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

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Rear front to rear brake pipe union slightly corroded

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Nov 2019 47,820 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm insecurely attached hockey arm rear bush bolt loose (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Front Prop shaft bearing has slight play front prop front u.j (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn swivel housing pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front swivel joint seal bracket corroded slightly

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

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Rear front to rear brake pipe union slightly corroded

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Nov 2018 44,837 miles
Fail 23 Oct 2018 44,836 miles

Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Fluid leaking continuously posing a serious risk to road safety leaking diesel from engine area (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 27 Nov 2017 42,145 miles

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

nearside headlamp lens cracked

Fail 16 Nov 2017 42,144 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

Steering component is not secure to the vehicle structure power steering resevoir (2.2.B.1a)

brake drum contaminated by oil parking brake drum (3.5.1h)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

nearside headlamp lens cracked

Pass 9 Nov 2016 37,611 miles

nearside headlamp lens cracked

oil leaks to gearbox & rear diff

Pass 7 Dec 2015 31,749 miles

N/S Headlamp glass cracked, but not affecting beam image

NS spotlight not working

Rear wiper blade u/s

Pass 15 Dec 2014 27,466 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2013 20,904 miles
Pass 13 Dec 2012 16,115 miles

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

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

Fail 11 Dec 2012 16,115 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Rear Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted (7.4.B.1)

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

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

Pass 19 Dec 2011 13,524 miles

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

Centre Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 19 Dec 2011 13,524 miles

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod locating pin locking device not properly locked (2.4.G.3b)

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

Centre Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 16 Dec 2010 6,621 miles
Fail 16 Dec 2010 6,621 miles

Ball joint ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front Steering damper damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 20 Dec 2009 100,005 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2008 100,110 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2008 100,105 miles

Front Steering system has a road wheel fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

Front Steering system lock to lock check exposes a seriously damaged brake pipe (2.2.D.2b)

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

speedo cable sat on propshaft

Fail 5 Apr 2007 324,718 miles

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen washer control missing (8.2.1a)

Pass 2 Mar 2006 315,967 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2006 315,968 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.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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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

G491 VFE is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 G491 VFE, 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 G491 VFE?

You can check the full history of G491 VFE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G491 VFE registered?

G491 VFE is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 October 1989.

Is G491 VFE safe to buy?

The MOT history for G491 VFE shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G491 VFE 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 G491 VFE. 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.