CarVerify

Free Car Check

L38 BLJ

1993 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires14 Jan 2026
Tests31 (17 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate54.8%

Mileage

120,672 mi
Last recorded120,672 miles
Recorded on15 Jan 2025
Typical for 1993 Land Rover Defender118,574 mi

Below or 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 £14.99

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

RegistrationL38 BLJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1993
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 14 fail
Pass 15 Jan 2025 120,672 miles

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

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement axle tie rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

battery carrier corroded

Pass 22 Dec 2023 119,402 miles

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement axle tie rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm rear end (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

battery box corroded

nearside front outrigger corroded

Fail 22 Nov 2023 119,400 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength shock absorber mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

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

Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement axle tie rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm rear end (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

battery box corroded

nearside front out rigger corroded

Fail 21 Apr 2023 119,390 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Brake disc contaminated Steering ball leaking oil onto brake disc and tyre (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox leaking and nearside rear driveshaft leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust silencer slightly loose weld joint failing (8.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both rear shock absorber mountings heavily corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Feb 2021 118,338 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both sides shock absorber mounts weak/corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 24 Feb 2021 118,337 miles

Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear joint both sides (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both sides shock absorber mounts weak/corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 18 Aug 2020 118,241 miles

Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush Both sides bottom bushes (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Hub seal slight weep

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced underside /chassis corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 23 Aug 2019 116,159 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive mounts on rear axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 31 Oct 2018 115,846 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

Pass 2 Nov 2017 115,575 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 18 Oct 2016 115,217 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 17 Sep 2015 114,512 miles

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

Fail 4 Sep 2015 114,468 miles

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp stays on all the time with lights (1.3.2f)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 29 Sep 2014 113,799 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Sep 2014 113,799 miles

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

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

Rear Electrical wiring deteriorated and bare wires exposed (1.9.2c)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 17 Sep 2013 111,690 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2013 111,565 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 22 Sep 2012 109,250 miles

underside of landrover rusty

Fail 19 Sep 2012 109,250 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by grease (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front Upper Driver's door hinge insecure (6.2.B.2)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

underside of landrover rusty

Pass 21 Sep 2011 107,645 miles
Fail 13 Sep 2011 107,645 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Pass 17 Sep 2010 105,153 miles

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

Fail 16 Sep 2010 105,153 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2009 102,142 miles
Fail 8 Sep 2009 102,142 miles

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

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)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Propshaft component defective

Pass 24 Sep 2008 99,961 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2008 99,961 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Offside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Pass 18 Sep 2007 98,360 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2007 98,360 miles

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 22 Aug 2006 96,017 miles
Fail 21 Aug 2006 96,017 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamps matched pair are not the same colour (1.7.6)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

L38 BLJ is a 1993 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.8%.

Across all 1993 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 118,574 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 L38 BLJ, 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 33 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 L38 BLJ?

You can check the full history of L38 BLJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L38 BLJ registered?

L38 BLJ is a 1993 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 10 September 1993.

Is L38 BLJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for L38 BLJ shows 31 tests with a 54.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L38 BLJ 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 L38 BLJ. 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.