CarVerify

Free Car Check

G496 XDG

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Jan 2027
Tests23 (20 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate87%

Mileage

180,733 mi
Last recorded180,733 miles
Recorded on6 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationG496 XDG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourRed
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

20 pass 3 fail
Pass 6 Jan 2026 180,733 miles

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

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

Nearside Front hub seal weeping

Nearside Front inner arch corroded

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

Pass 6 Jan 2025 177,323 miles

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

Nearside Front lower bulk head corroded

Offside Front Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 2 Jan 2024 173,003 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2023 169,411 miles

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

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

Pass 7 Jan 2022 165,184 miles

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

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

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

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

general underbody corrosion

power steering fluid leak

Pass 4 Jan 2021 159,906 miles

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

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

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

oil leak from rear

Pass 13 May 2019 151,721 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Jan 2018 146,917 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2017 143,109 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jan 2016 140,247 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly discoloured (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Stop lamp slightly discoloured (1.2.1e)

nearside wiper blade is split but is still clearing windscreen

offside rear bump stop is missing

Pass 10 Dec 2014 138,116 miles

Coolant leak

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Rear Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

Offside Stop lamp slightly discoloured (1.2.1e)

Fail 20 Dec 2013 136,782 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 20 Dec 2013 136,782 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2012 134,744 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)

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

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

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

Pass 5 Dec 2011 129,388 miles

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

Fail 5 Dec 2011 129,388 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2010 124,555 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Nov 2009 116,229 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2008 109,902 miles
Pass 16 Oct 2007 104,500 miles

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

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

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

Pass 17 Oct 2006 102,092 miles

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 21 Oct 2005 99,081 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2005 99,081 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

G496 XDG is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 87%.

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 G496 XDG, 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 G496 XDG?

You can check the full history of G496 XDG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G496 XDG registered?

G496 XDG is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1989.

Is G496 XDG safe to buy?

The MOT history for G496 XDG shows 23 tests with a 87% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G496 XDG 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 G496 XDG. 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.