CarVerify

Free Car Check

L1 FKU

1996 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jul 2027
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

153,529 mi
Last recorded153,529 miles
Recorded on23 Jul 2026
Typical for 1996 Land Rover Defender122,435 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationL1 FKU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1996
ColourRed
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

14 pass 11 fail
Pass 23 Jul 2026 153,529 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases exhaust down pipe corroded and holed (6.1.2 (a))

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

steering track rod corroded

Pass 17 Jul 2025 152,518 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases down pipe corroded and holed (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

fuel tank carrier frame corroded

Fail 17 Jul 2025 152,518 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases down pipe corroded and holed (6.1.2 (a))

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

fuel tank carrier frame corroded

Pass 31 Jul 2024 150,669 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty tell tale on switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Slight leaks from engine,gearbox and front axle (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres starting to crack (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

vin plate deteriorated but still legible

Fail 11 Jul 2024 150,552 miles

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

Drag link end 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 Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure Retaining ring corroded/ fractured (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Excessive corrosion to sills, outrigger and floor tub (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt buckle damaged buckle button fractured (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements inoperative switch, tell tale and lamp (4.5.3 (a))

Hazard warning switch faulty Tell tale on switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Gearbox and front diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Vin plate deteriorated, but legible

Pass 20 Jul 2023 148,953 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre perished and cracking on outer side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre perished and cracking on outer side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre perished and cracking on outer side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing tyre perished and cracking on outer side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 14 Jul 2022 146,950 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light (4.9.2 (a))

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

Nearside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged release button slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

Fail 12 Jul 2022 146,950 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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 Brake prescribed area is excessively corroded lower bulkhead and floor corroded and holed near to brake valve mounting (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

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

Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light (4.9.2 (a))

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

Nearside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged release button slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2021 144,929 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Jul 2021 144,929 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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))

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2020 143,144 miles

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

Oil leak, but not excessive slight leak from rear axle (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 15 Jul 2020 143,144 miles

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))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive slight leak from rear axle (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 12 Jul 2019 142,179 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

steering lock inop

Fail 12 Jul 2019 142,179 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

steering lock inop

Pass 23 Jul 2018 139,518 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2018 139,451 miles

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

Nearside Position lamp not working not working when brake applied (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear axle top ball joint rubber (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive oil leak from turbo area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

steering track rod slightly bent

Pass 26 Jul 2017 137,331 miles

Central Rear Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt above rear axle (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 26 Jul 2017 137,331 miles

Central Rear Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt above rear axle (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Steering retaining device insecure at steering box (2.2.C.1g)

Pass 2 Jul 2016 134,375 miles

Offside Rear BRAKE DISC SHIELD MISSING

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

Fail 24 Jun 2016 134,375 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front outrigger corroded

Offside Front outrigger corroded

Track rod end deformed but serviceable track rod bent (2.2.C.1d)

Pass 26 Jun 2015 128,945 miles

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

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

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

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

n/s o/s front n/s o/s rear tyres slight cracking on walls

o/s rear brake shield missing

slight oil leaks

Fail 26 Jun 2015 128,945 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

n/s o/s front n/s o/s rear tyres slight cracking on walls

o/s rear brake shield missing

slight oil leaks

Pass 27 Jun 2014 122,752 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2013 119,714 miles

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

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

Underside of the vehicle has been heavily undersealed making inspection difficult.

Fail 11 Sep 2013 119,707 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Car is heavily undersealed making inspection of some areas difficult.

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

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

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

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

Rear Steering arm damaged but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

L1 FKU is a 1996 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

Across all 1996 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.0% with a typical mileage of 122,435 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 L1 FKU, 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 30 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 L1 FKU?

You can check the full history of L1 FKU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L1 FKU registered?

L1 FKU is a 1996 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 March 1996.

Is L1 FKU safe to buy?

The MOT history for L1 FKU shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L1 FKU 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 L1 FKU. 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.