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J77 LRO

1997 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Jan 2027
Tests30 (17 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate56.7%

Mileage

177,048 mi
Last recorded177,048 miles
Recorded on29 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ77 LRO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
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

17 pass 13 fail
Pass 29 Jan 2026 177,048 miles

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed middle row of seats (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed middle row of seats (7.1.2 (b))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Oct 2024 175,162 miles

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed middle row of seats (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Oct 2024 175,159 miles

Central Seat belt retracting mechanism defective middle row of seats (7.1.2 (e))

Nearside Track rod 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 Track rod 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 Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Rear reflector missing both sides (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed middle row of seats (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Oct 2023 173,930 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Oct 2020 173,899 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Oct 2020 173,890 miles

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Oct 2019 171,189 miles

Nearside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Oct 2019 171,188 miles

Nearside Front 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 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))

Nearside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Oct 2018 159,754 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 9 Oct 2018 159,754 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii))

Pass 29 Sep 2017 151,310 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 29 Sep 2017 151,309 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 21 Oct 2016 145,060 miles

Nearside Front Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 20 Oct 2016 145,033 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose twisted (3.6.B.4c)

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 26 Oct 2015 140,159 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2014 138,868 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2013 134,830 miles

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

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

Fail 6 Jul 2013 134,823 miles

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2012 131,101 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2012 131,101 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 28 Jun 2011 124,698 miles

Oil leak

Propshaft component defective

Fail 14 Jun 2011 124,698 miles

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm locating pin retaining device not properly locked (2.4.G.3b)

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

Oil leak

Propshaft component defective

Pass 30 Nov 2009 116,672 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

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

Oil leak

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

extensive surface corrosion on the entire chassis & floor area

rear axle has slight oils seepage from the nearside

Fail 25 Nov 2009 116,664 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Offside Front Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

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

Oil leak

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

extensive surface corrosion on the entire chassis & floor area

rear axle has slight oils seepage from the nearside

Pass 13 Nov 2008 112,359 miles
Fail 11 Nov 2008 112,359 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

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

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Steering box insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Pass 14 Nov 2007 106,588 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2007 106,588 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt attachment fitting fractured (5.2.3)

Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Pass 6 Nov 2006 100,336 miles

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Fail 20 Oct 2006 100,135 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Front registration plate letter/figure missing (6.3.1c)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Front Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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.

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J77 LRO is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.7%.

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 J77 LRO, 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 J77 LRO?

You can check the full history of J77 LRO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J77 LRO registered?

J77 LRO is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 17 October 1997.

Is J77 LRO safe to buy?

The MOT history for J77 LRO shows 30 tests with a 56.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J77 LRO 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 J77 LRO. 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.