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L400 ARA

1996 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Apr 2027
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

198,694 mi
Last recorded198,694 miles
Recorded on2 Apr 2026
Typical for 1996 Land Rover Defender122,435 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL400 ARA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1996
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

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 2 Apr 2026 198,694 miles

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

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

o/s/r door corroded around catch mount

slight movement of front pads in caliper

Pass 11 Apr 2025 189,729 miles

Front floor corroded / holed

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

Fail 8 Apr 2025 189,727 miles

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn a frame bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front floor corroded / holed

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

Pass 20 Dec 2023 188,618 miles

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

Nearside Front Bulk head corroded through

Offside Front Bulk head corroded through

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Dec 2022 187,298 miles

All tyres perished

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

Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Front body corroded

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

Offside Front body corroded

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced behind wheel on chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Tow bar supports missing and tow bar mounting plate slightly bent but seems secure

Pass 24 Nov 2021 185,793 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes covered in underseal (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front nearside front of foot well corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush upper and lower bushes (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front corrosion around offside front body mount

Offside Front offside front of footwell slight corroded but not with 30cm of brake or steering component

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced small patch behind offside rear wheel on chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all four tyres starting to perish (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Vehicle structure slightly damaged within 30cm of towbar mounting tow bar attachment not mount straight(slightly bent) but seems secure (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 22 Nov 2021 185,708 miles

Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Front Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes covered in underseal (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front nearside front of foot well corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush upper and lower bushes (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front corrosion around offside front body mount

Offside Front offside front of footwell slight corroded but not with 30cm of brake or steering component

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced small patch behind offside rear wheel on chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all four tyres starting to perish (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 10 Nov 2020 183,279 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2019 181,362 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2019 181,362 miles

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

Pass 3 Sep 2018 180,274 miles

o/s step rustey

Fail 28 Aug 2018 180,274 miles

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users diesel leek on engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

o/s step rustey

Pass 8 Sep 2017 179,454 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2017 179,454 miles

Front Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

Pass 2 Sep 2015 178,118 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2013 175,966 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 16 Jul 2013 175,966 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Prop-shaft flange bolt(s) loose/missing

Pass 6 Jul 2012 170,293 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Fail 2 Jul 2012 170,292 miles

Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Horn control insecure (1.6.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 17 Jun 2011 160,041 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2011 160,041 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Fail 18 May 2011 160,027 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1)

Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

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

Pass 18 May 2010 156,846 miles
Fail 11 May 2010 156,843 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Propshaft component defective

Pass 15 Apr 2009 150,504 miles

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

Fail 14 Apr 2009 150,504 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Apr 2008 139,679 miles

near side rear lower shock absorber mounting worn

Pass 18 Apr 2007 126,818 miles

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 21 Apr 2006 115,656 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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L400 ARA is a 1996 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

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 L400 ARA, 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 L400 ARA?

You can check the full history of L400 ARA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L400 ARA registered?

L400 ARA is a 1996 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 4 April 1996.

Is L400 ARA safe to buy?

The MOT history for L400 ARA shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L400 ARA 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 L400 ARA. 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.