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J555 DOW

1997 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Apr 2027
Tests35 (21 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

201,822 mi
Last recorded201,822 miles
Recorded on17 Apr 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ555 DOW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
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

21 pass 14 fail
Pass 17 Apr 2026 201,822 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 13 Apr 2026 201,816 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Jun 2024 200,714 miles

Both front steering hubs leaking slightly

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Apr 2023 196,679 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material General corrosion to all brake pipes. (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 17 Apr 2023 196,679 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material General corrosion to all brake pipes. (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 27 Jun 2022 196,669 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Central crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced bulkhead foot well (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Central crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 20 Jul 2021 194,998 miles

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 20 Jul 2021 194,998 miles

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Jun 2020 192,193 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2020 192,193 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Jun 2019 186,697 miles

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

Fail 6 Jun 2019 186,684 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 8 Mar 2018 176,635 miles

Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

Pass 22 May 2017 169,712 miles
Pass 23 May 2016 161,596 miles

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

Oil leaks

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Fail 23 May 2016 161,596 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Oil leaks

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 1 May 2015 151,471 miles

Oil leak

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

Fail 30 Apr 2015 151,471 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

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

Fail 25 Apr 2014 141,243 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Oil leak

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

Pass 25 Apr 2014 141,243 miles

Oil leak

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

Pass 21 May 2013 132,521 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 16 May 2013 132,521 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 24 May 2012 123,992 miles
Pass 10 May 2011 115,668 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2010 108,193 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2010 108,193 miles

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

Fail 18 Jan 2010 107,075 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

n/s step bent

Pass 18 Jan 2010 107,075 miles

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

n/s step bent

Fail 5 Dec 2008 101,660 miles

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

Pass 5 Dec 2008 101,660 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2008 95,543 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2008 95,281 miles

Centre Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Centre Rear Parking brake lever is impeded in its travel (3.1.6c)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

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

Pass 16 Feb 2007 91,339 miles
Pass 24 Jul 2006 90,471 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2005 82,940 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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J555 DOW is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 J555 DOW, 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 J555 DOW?

You can check the full history of J555 DOW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J555 DOW registered?

J555 DOW is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is J555 DOW safe to buy?

The MOT history for J555 DOW shows 35 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 J555 DOW 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 J555 DOW. 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.