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L438 BTA

1993 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Dec 2019
Tests23 (11 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate47.8%

Mileage

211,532 mi
Last recorded211,532 miles
Recorded on13 Nov 2018
Typical for 1993 Land Rover Defender118,574 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL438 BTA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1993
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

11 pass 12 fail
Pass 13 Nov 2018 211,532 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 7 Nov 2018 211,481 miles

Nearside 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))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn C arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Power steering component insecure drop arm (2.1.5 (d) (i))

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

Power steering component leaking box (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Power steering inoperative and steering adversely affected (2.1.5 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached A frame balljoint nut loose (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Nov 2017 205,656 miles

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement C arm (2.4.G.2)

front brake discs wearing thin

o.s.r bump stop missing

o.s.r tyre perished

rear exhaust box corroded

slight leak from n.s.r hub oil seal

Fail 7 Nov 2017 205,498 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Rear Upper Axle swivel joint insecure in a suspension arm A frame balljoint (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings drop arm (2.2.B.1h) DANGEROUS

Offside Power steering component(s) leaking steering box (2.3.3b) DANGEROUS

Front Propshaft universal joint worn both ()

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement C arm (2.4.G.2)

front brake discs wearing thin

o.s.r bump stop missing

o.s.r tyre perished

rear exhaust box corroded

slight oil leak from n.s.r hub

Pass 18 Nov 2016 199,927 miles

both rear and o.s.f tyres perished

o.s.r bump stop missing

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

slight fluid leak from power steering box

slight leak from n.s.f tracta joint housing

slight leak from n.s.r hub seal

Fail 4 Nov 2016 199,711 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings steering box (2.2.B.1h)

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

Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken (3.1.5)

Rear Upper Suspension arm locating pin insecure A frame balljoint (2.4.G.3a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

both rear and o.s.f tyres perished

front and rear propshaft u j 's worn

o.s.r bump stop missing

slight fluid leak from power steering box

slight leak from n.s.f tracta joint housing

slight leak from n.s.r hub seal

Pass 17 Nov 2015 193,378 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

both rear and o.s.f tyres perished

front brake discs wearing thin

o.s.r bump stop missing

slight oil leak from n.s.r hub

Fail 11 Nov 2015 193,319 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement C arm (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings steering arm (2.2.B.1h)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

both rear and o.s.f tyres perished

front brake discs wearing thin

o.s.r bump stop missing

slight oil leak from n.s.r hub

Pass 25 Nov 2014 187,988 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

o.s.r bump stop missing

slight power steering fluid leak

steering damper bushes worn

Fail 24 Nov 2014 187,988 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm insecure (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

o.s.r bump stop missing

slight power steering fluid leak

steering damper bushes worn

Pass 4 Dec 2013 184,958 miles

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

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

Nearside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

slight oil leak from nearside front hub

Fail 3 Dec 2013 184,958 miles

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Upper Suspension arm locating pin locking device missing (2.4.G.3b)

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

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

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

Nearside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

slight oil leak from nearside front hub

Fail 17 Aug 2011 184,820 miles

Centre Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

Pass 19 Aug 2010 182,613 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

nearside rear tyre has cracks to side wall but not to cords

steering damper bush has play

Fail 11 Aug 2010 182,613 miles

Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

nearside rear tyre has cracks to side wall but not to cords

steering damper bush has play

Pass 10 Aug 2009 180,399 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

steering damper bush slightly worn

Fail 4 Aug 2009 180,399 miles

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

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

Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

steering damper bush slightly worn

Propshaft component defective

Pass 14 Feb 2008 175,859 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

faulty bonnet catch

Fail 11 Feb 2008 175,859 miles

Centre Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incomplete (1.1.4a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) DANGEROUS

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

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

faulty bonnet catch

Pass 16 Jan 2007 171,227 miles

park brake lever close to stop

Fail 16 Jan 2007 171,227 miles

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

oil mist around power steering pump

Pass 19 Jan 2006 166,560 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2006 166,560 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

L438 BTA is a 1993 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 47.8%.

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 L438 BTA, 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 L438 BTA?

You can check the full history of L438 BTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L438 BTA registered?

L438 BTA is a 1993 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 4 November 1993.

Is L438 BTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for L438 BTA shows 23 tests with a 47.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L438 BTA 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 L438 BTA. 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.