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J13 COW

1997 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 May 2027
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

168,345 mi
Last recorded168,345 miles
Recorded on6 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ13 COW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourGreen
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 6 May 2026 168,345 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Fail 2 Oct 2025 168,341 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 10 Oct 2024 166,829 miles

Coolant leak behind water pump ()

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (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 Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Fail 22 May 2024 166,826 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases down pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Coolant leak behind water pump ()

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Nov 2022 164,723 miles

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Fail 21 Nov 2022 164,720 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements (4.5.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Pass 22 Nov 2021 161,798 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox/transferbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

indicator/horn/mainbeam stalk poor condition

Pass 12 Nov 2020 157,993 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2019 153,083 miles

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

wiper blades poor

Fail 7 Nov 2019 153,076 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2018 145,043 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive from rocker cover (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Nov 2017 133,837 miles

Nearside Front Coolant leak ()

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

Oil leak ENGINE OIL LEAK ()

Oil leak GEARBOX OIL LEAK ()

Oil leak TRANSFER BOX ()

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

Fail 10 Nov 2017 133,837 miles

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded Front to rear pipe. (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Coolant leak ()

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

Oil leak ENGINE OIL LEAK ()

Oil leak GEARBOX OIL LEAK ()

Oil leak TRANSFER BOX ()

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

Pass 4 Nov 2016 122,374 miles

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

Nearside Coolant leak ()

Oil leak ()

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

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

gearbox has a oil leak

transferbox has a oil leak

Fail 4 Nov 2016 122,374 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Coolant leak ()

Oil leak ()

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

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

gearbox has a oil leak

transferbox has a oil leak

Pass 2 Nov 2015 111,860 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear pipe in very poor condition. (3.6.B.2c)

Fuel hose slightly chafed chaffing on steering column. (7.2.2)

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

engine oil leak

Fail 2 Nov 2015 111,860 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear pipe in very poor condition. (3.6.B.2c)

Fuel hose slightly chafed chaffing on steering column. (7.2.2)

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

engine oil leak

Pass 28 Oct 2014 101,012 miles

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

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

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

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 18 Oct 2013 89,226 miles

Dust cover loose O/S/R shock absorber

Gearbox oil leak

Oil leak

Fail 20 Oct 2012 76,641 miles

Oil leak

Rear fog lamp tell tale missing (1.3.1b)

Pass 20 Oct 2012 76,641 miles

Oil leak

Pass 4 Nov 2011 64,444 miles

n/s front to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

Fail 4 Feb 2010 112,627 miles

Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering (2.5.A.3a)

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Alt belt shreaded

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Slight oil leak on steering box

Pass 11 Feb 2009 105,063 miles
Fail 9 Feb 2009 105,054 miles

Brake has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Nearside Rear fog lamp excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.3.2d)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 16 Jan 2008 98,743 miles

Brake Vacuum Pump Slightly Weak

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 17 Jan 2007 91,379 miles
Pass 31 Jan 2006 83,656 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.

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J13 COW is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.5% with a typical mileage of 117,879 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 J13 COW, 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 29 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J13 COW?

You can check the full history of J13 COW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J13 COW registered?

J13 COW is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 28 August 1997.

Is J13 COW safe to buy?

The MOT history for J13 COW 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 J13 COW 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 J13 COW. 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.