CarVerify

Free Car Check

J90 NHW

1998 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Nov 2026
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

229,686 mi
Last recorded229,686 miles
Recorded on22 Nov 2025
Typical for 1998 Land Rover Defender110,057 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ90 NHW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1998
ColourWhite
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 9 fail
Pass 22 Nov 2025 229,686 miles

General corrosion

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

Pass 5 Dec 2023 228,070 miles
Fail 4 Dec 2023 228,070 miles

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

Central Prop shaft securing bolt missing (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper insecurely mounted (1.1.16 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 31 Aug 2022 221,537 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2022 221,537 miles

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

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 7 Sep 2021 218,616 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2021 218,616 miles

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

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Sep 2020 214,086 miles

O/S/F HUB SEAL LEAKING

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

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2019 211,305 miles
Fail 9 Sep 2019 211,305 miles

Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Pass 16 Jul 2018 204,391 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside mirror glass cracked

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

both front inner floors rusty

Pass 19 Jul 2017 198,675 miles

Nearside mirror glass cracked

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

both front inner floors rusty

Fail 19 Jul 2017 198,675 miles

Ball joint has excessive play steering box drop arm ball joint-dust cover incorrect size also (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside mirror glass cracked

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

Offside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

both front inner floors rusty

drag link slightly bent

Fail 29 Nov 2016 198,675 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt s teering box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Steering component deformed and unserviceable drag link (2.2.C.1d)

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

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

Nearside Rear hub damp

Nearside Rear outrigger holed/rusty

Nearside mirror glass broken

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

Offside Rear outrigger rusty

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

oil leak

Pass 29 Jan 2016 189,779 miles

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

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror obscured but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

Fail 29 Jan 2016 189,775 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror obscured but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

Pass 5 Feb 2015 186,388 miles
Pass 6 Jan 2014 182,638 miles

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

rear x member is badly corroded and weak

Fail 3 Jan 2014 182,635 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

rear x member is badly corroded and weak

Pass 2 Jan 2013 177,236 miles

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

rear x member is corroded and weak

Pass 6 Jan 2012 165,520 miles

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

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

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

Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

front discs corroded

Fail 3 Jan 2012 165,496 miles

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Towbar component insecure (6.6.1)

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

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

front discs corroded

Pass 5 Jan 2011 157,884 miles
Pass 6 Jan 2010 151,227 miles

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

Nearside Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

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

Pass 5 Jan 2009 143,129 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2008 133,552 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2006 123,978 miles

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

J90 NHW is a 1998 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 J90 NHW, 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 J90 NHW?

You can check the full history of J90 NHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J90 NHW registered?

J90 NHW is a 1998 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 5 October 1998.

Is J90 NHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for J90 NHW shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J90 NHW 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 J90 NHW. 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.