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G505 VDL

1989 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Feb 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

259,480 mi
Last recorded259,480 miles
Recorded on8 Feb 2025
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationG505 VDL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourWhite
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 12 fail
Pass 8 Feb 2025 259,480 miles

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

general underbody corrosion

welding repairs covered in underseal

Fail 10 Aug 2024 258,910 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength multiple holes marked (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength multiple holes marked (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

general underbody corrosion

Pass 6 Jun 2023 258,231 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive hub seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general under body corrosion rear chassis rails and floor pan (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 6 Jun 2023 258,231 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside All direction indicators incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive hub seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general under body corrosion rear chassis rails and floor pan (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 22 Dec 2021 253,878 miles

under body rusted in places

Pass 24 Dec 2020 250,223 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 7 Jun 2019 246,643 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber dust cover insecure

Pass 22 Jun 2018 243,248 miles

Front Exhaust system slight leak

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Fail 22 Jun 2018 243,248 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Front Exhaust system slight leak

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Pass 15 Jun 2017 240,424 miles

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

Fail 1 Jun 2017 240,413 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting cross member (6.6.6)

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

Offside Front hub seal slight leak

engine oil leak

slight corrosion to chassis and rear cross member

Pass 22 Feb 2016 235,275 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Feb 2016 235,228 miles

Nearside Drag link end loose (2.2.B.1d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Front Fuel system component leaking fuel pump area (7.2.3) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 9 Mar 2015 22,185 miles

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

Fail 6 Mar 2015 228,174 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 12 Dec 2013 221,539 miles

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

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

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

Fail 20 Nov 2013 221,528 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

Pass 2 Nov 2012 212,787 miles

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

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

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

Rear Upper Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Fail 25 Oct 2012 212,660 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Horn not working (1.6.2a) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b) DANGEROUS

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) DANGEROUS

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Rear Upper Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Pass 3 Jan 2012 205,799 miles

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

Wipers not working on fast speed.

Fail 29 Dec 2011 205,794 miles

Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

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

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

Wipers not working on fast speed.

Pass 2 Dec 2010 198,552 miles

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

slight play in bpth front wheel bearings and n/s/rear as well

Fail 25 Nov 2010 198,552 miles

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

slight play in bpth front wheel bearings and n/s/rear as well

Pass 9 Dec 2009 193,982 miles

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 1 Dec 2009 193,982 miles

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

Position lamp switch faulty (1.1.A.1)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 5 Dec 2008 192,022 miles

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

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

Fail 1 Dec 2008 192,015 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Dec 2007 189,084 miles

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

Pass 8 Dec 2006 184,631 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2005 175,651 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

G505 VDL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 G505 VDL, 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 G505 VDL?

You can check the full history of G505 VDL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G505 VDL registered?

G505 VDL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 4 September 1989.

Is G505 VDL safe to buy?

The MOT history for G505 VDL shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G505 VDL 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 G505 VDL. 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.