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JMC 89X

1997 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Mar 2027
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

265,333 mi
Last recorded265,333 miles
Recorded on16 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJMC 89X
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

16 pass 11 fail
Pass 16 Mar 2026 265,333 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Mar 2025 259,622 miles

chassis corroded and heavily repaired

rear seats missing

Fail 26 Feb 2025 259,621 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel more than one fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Road wheel more than one fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (1.1.11 (c))

chassis corroded and heavily repaired

rear seats missing

Pass 15 Feb 2024 255,720 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 13 Feb 2024 255,720 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2023 255,642 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2023 255,632 miles

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment (2.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 23 Apr 2019 248,967 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2019 248,763 miles

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

Pass 17 Apr 2018 234,286 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint Both sides (2.4.G.2)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush Both sides (2.4.G.2)

Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play Both sides (2.6.2)

Pass 19 Apr 2017 225,729 miles
Fail 12 Apr 2017 225,683 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage Light lens (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Floor (2.2.C.1h)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b) DANGEROUS

corrosion through out under side.

vehicle needs under side cleaned before retest

Nearside Front floor corrodide

Pass 22 Apr 2016 218,080 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint both sides (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load casing (5.2.4a)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play both sides (2.6.2)

oil leak

Fail 18 Apr 2016 218,079 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded both sides cross member (2.4.A.3)

Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a) DANGEROUS

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure both sides (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint both sides (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load casing (5.2.4a)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play both sides (2.6.2)

oil leak

Pass 10 Apr 2015 207,064 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

front both sides chassis legs corroded

Fail 9 Apr 2015 207,063 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

front both sides chassis legs corroded

Pass 16 Oct 2013 199,780 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Pass 19 Oct 2012 189,371 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

top of chassis corroded above rear axle tie rod front mountings

Fail 15 Oct 2012 189,356 miles

Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

top of chassis corroded above rear axle tie rod front mountings

Pass 15 Jul 2011 183,887 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 15 Jul 2011 183,887 miles

Nearside Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 8 Apr 2009 183,870 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2009 183,870 miles

Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Pass 23 Jan 2008 183,870 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2007 178,165 miles
Fail 12 Jan 2007 178,079 miles

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 30 Dec 2005 169,533 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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JMC 89X is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

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 JMC 89X, 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 JMC 89X?

You can check the full history of JMC 89X by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was JMC 89X registered?

JMC 89X is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 November 1997.

Is JMC 89X safe to buy?

The MOT history for JMC 89X shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does JMC 89X 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 JMC 89X. 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.