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J6 VJN

1998 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2492cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Jul 2025
Tests34 (18 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate52.9%

Mileage

216,115 mi
Last recorded216,115 miles
Recorded on25 Jul 2025
Typical for 1998 Land Rover Defender110,057 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ6 VJN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1998
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,492cc

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 16 fail
Fail 25 Jul 2025 216,115 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Windscreen wiper blade defective both (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 19 Jul 2024 211,613 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 19 Jul 2024 211,613 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Side repeater likely to become detached (4.4.1 (c) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Pass 8 Apr 2022 206,517 miles

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

Fail 12 Jan 2022 206,516 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength both (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Windscreen wiper blade defective both (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Jan 2021 197,096 miles

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

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 14 Jan 2021 197,096 miles

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.1.2 (e) (i))

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

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 13 Jan 2020 194,332 miles

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 16 Jan 2019 189,445 miles

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Fail 16 Jan 2019 189,445 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Drag link end ball joint has excessive play both (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively stretched (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Pass 16 Jan 2018 183,685 miles

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

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Ball joint has slight play drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

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

Fail 16 Jan 2018 183,685 miles

Central Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

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

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Ball joint has slight play drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

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

steering damper bush worn

Pass 19 Jan 2017 178,552 miles

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit Both (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Fail 16 Jan 2017 178,532 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

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

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

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit Both (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Offside Rear Fuel tank bracket corroded

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

Pass 15 Jan 2016 173,346 miles

Ball joint has slight play Drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Fail 13 Jan 2016 173,340 miles

Ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Ball joint has slight play Drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jan 2015 166,509 miles

Nearside Front 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)

Fail 5 Jan 2015 166,501 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front 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)

Pass 6 Jan 2014 157,249 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 6 Jan 2014 157,249 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2013 145,912 miles

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

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Fail 3 Jan 2013 145,904 miles

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

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

Offside Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

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

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

offside front floor holed by corrosion

Pass 5 Jan 2012 131,559 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

nearside front swivel seal leaking

offside front swivel ball pitted

offside front windscreen wiper mechanism worn

steering drop arm ball joint boot split

Fail 29 Dec 2011 131,386 miles

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

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

Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

nearside front swivel seal leaking

offside front swivel ball pitted

offside front windscreen wiper mechanism worn

steering drop arm ball joint boot split

Pass 30 Dec 2010 115,718 miles
Fail 30 Dec 2010 115,718 miles

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

Pass 5 Jan 2010 99,619 miles

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

Fail 4 Jan 2010 99,599 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Centre Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 31 Dec 2008 92,800 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2007 89,746 miles
Fail 19 Dec 2007 89,746 miles

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

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Propshaft component defective

Pass 22 Dec 2006 79,737 miles

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

Fail 22 Dec 2006 79,737 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 27 Jan 2006 70,478 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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J6 VJN is a 1998 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,492cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.9%.

Across all 1998 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.3% with a typical mileage of 110,057 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 J6 VJN, 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 28 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 J6 VJN?

You can check the full history of J6 VJN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J6 VJN registered?

J6 VJN is a 1998 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 November 1998.

Is J6 VJN safe to buy?

The MOT history for J6 VJN shows 34 tests with a 52.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J6 VJN 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 J6 VJN. 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.