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G899 XNL

1989 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 May 2026
Tests28 (14 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

32,145 mi
Last recorded32,145 miles
Recorded on19 May 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

RegistrationG899 XNL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourGrey
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

14 pass 14 fail
Pass 19 May 2025 32,145 miles

Coil spring corroded all (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 28 Apr 2025 32,119 miles

Emissions unable to be completed due to condition of exhaust system leak (8.2.2.2 (e))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases rear silencer joint split (6.1.2 (a))

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements not fitted correctly to vehicle (0.1 (d))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Brake locking device ineffective lower caliper bolt loose (1.1.21 (f))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working side light (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring insecure not fitted in its carrier at the top (5.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake locking device ineffective lower caliper bolt loose (1.1.21 (f))

Offside Front Position lamp not working side light (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring insecure not fitted in its carrier at the top (5.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements not fitted correctly (0.1 (d))

Rear Stop lamp(s) not working both rear (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Pass 6 Jul 2023 30,813 miles

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

Central Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 4 Jul 2023 30,293 miles

Offside Front All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Central Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Dec 2017 28,102 miles

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Oil leak engine area ()

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

Fail 6 Dec 2017 28,098 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

Rear Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside not working (3.7.C.2)

Rear Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside not working (3.7.C.2)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Oil leak engine area ()

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

Pass 2 Nov 2016 24,133 miles
Fail 27 Oct 2016 24,130 miles

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod insecure Rear axle tie bar bolt loose (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp Sidelight works but flashes when indicator switched on (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod insecure Rear axle tie bar bolt loose (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Vehicle Identification Number incomplete Chassis plate on master cylinder housing half of it is missing (6.3.5a)

Pass 23 Oct 2015 12,148 miles

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

Fail 22 Oct 2015 12,142 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Rear Tie bar/rod locating pin locking device not properly locked ball joint on axle (2.4.G.3b)

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

Pass 27 Oct 2014 5,588 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Oil leak

Fail 24 Oct 2014 5,557 miles

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Oil leak

Pass 30 Jul 2013 1,602 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2013 1,602 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

Pass 1 Jun 2012 269,414 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Oil leak

Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

all welding heavily undersealed

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

corrosion to nearside bulkhead

corrosion to offside lower bulkhead and floor

heavy corrosion to chassis and rear crossmember

nearside front hub seal leaking

nearside wiper blade split

Fail 30 May 2012 269,396 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (3.6.C.3)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

nearside wiper blade split

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

Nearside Front Upper Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Oil leak

Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

corrosion to nearside bulkhead

corrosion to offside lower bulkhead and floor

heavy corrosion to chassis and rear crossmember

nearside front hub seal leaking

Fail 15 May 2012 269,389 miles

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

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

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Oil leak

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

corrosion to chassis

corrosion to nearside of bulkhead

corrosion to offside lower bulkhead and floor

heavy corrosion to both rear chassis rails and rear crossmember

nearside front hub seal leaking

nearside wiper blade split

rear A arm ball joint corroded

Pass 27 May 2011 266,406 miles

Chassis and body corroding in places

Metal brake pipes started to corrode

Fail 28 Apr 2011 266,406 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Towbar retaining device missing (6.6.3a)

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

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

Chassis rusting in various places

Metal brake pipes rusting.

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 23 Apr 2010 260,768 miles
Fail 19 Apr 2010 260,768 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is deliberately modified which significantly reduces the original strength (2.4.A.3)

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Front registration plate deteriorating

nearside door hinges part siezed

Pass 7 Apr 2009 257,413 miles

Front registration plate poor condition

Nearside front hub seal leaking slightly

Offside door hinge siezing

Fail 2 Apr 2009 257,249 miles

Front Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Offside Front Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Front registration plate poor condition

Nearside front hub seal leaking slightly

Offside door hinge siezing

Fail 24 Apr 2008 255,070 miles

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

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

all rear chassis and suspension parts rusty

front number plate cracked

Pass 24 Apr 2008 255,070 miles

all rear chassis and suspension parts rusty

front number plate cracked

Fail 4 Apr 2008 255,002 miles

Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

damage to front number plate

dampness on n/s swivel ball joint

dampness on steering damper

dampness onn/s/r brake backing plate

rust forming on underside of vehicle

Pass 10 Apr 2007 252,946 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2006 241,978 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

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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

G899 XNL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

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 G899 XNL, 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 G899 XNL?

You can check the full history of G899 XNL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G899 XNL registered?

G899 XNL is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 December 1989.

Is G899 XNL safe to buy?

The MOT history for G899 XNL shows 28 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G899 XNL 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 G899 XNL. 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.