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L456 GCW

1994 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 May 2027
Tests38 (21 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate55.3%

Mileage

130,129 mi
Last recorded130,129 miles
Recorded on1 Jun 2026
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL456 GCW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1994
ColourBlue
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

21 pass 17 fail
Pass 1 Jun 2026 130,129 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively Both NS & OS (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Coil spring corroded Both NS & OS (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Both NS & OS (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Coil spring corroded Both NS & OS (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Feb 2026 129,970 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Offside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 12 Feb 2025 126,413 miles

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

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

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

Steering damper bush slightly worn

Fail 10 Feb 2025 126,413 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Steering damper bush slightly worn

Pass 15 Feb 2024 122,908 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 13 Feb 2024 122,908 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2023 120,073 miles

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

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

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

Fail 17 Feb 2023 120,073 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Feb 2022 116,408 miles

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

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

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

Fail 2 Feb 2022 116,408 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Front Prop shaft bent (6.1.7 (e))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced central outrigger tube (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play on steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn torsion bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Feb 2021 113,382 miles

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

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

Nearside Front hub seal leaking

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 5 Feb 2021 113,376 miles

Fuel tank leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front hub seal leaking

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Feb 2020 110,151 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 3 Feb 2020 110,151 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chasis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Feb 2019 106,332 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2019 106,332 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached x member (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 6 Feb 2018 102,292 miles

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

Fail 1 Feb 2018 102,291 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

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

Pass 8 Feb 2017 95,623 miles

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

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush C spanner bushes on axle (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint on centre top of rear axle (2.4.G.2)

Fail 2 Feb 2017 95,619 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover missing (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush C spanner bushes on axle (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush C spanner bushes on axle (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint on centre top of rear axle (2.4.G.2)

Pass 17 Feb 2016 88,761 miles

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded os front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear tyre cracking

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

oil leak

Fail 16 Feb 2016 88,761 miles

Nearside All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded os front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear tyre cracking

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

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

oil leak

Pass 17 Feb 2015 80,456 miles

Nail in offside front tyre

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 17 Feb 2015 80,456 miles

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

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

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

Nail in offside front tyre

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 30 Jan 2014 72,492 miles

Centre Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

nsr and osr tyres have screw in tread

slight oil leak from sump area

Fail 30 Jan 2014 72,492 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

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

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

Centre Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

nsr and osr tyres have screw in tread

slight oil leak from sump area

Pass 5 Feb 2013 64,356 miles

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 4 Feb 2013 64,356 miles

Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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 Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 4 Feb 2012 54,609 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 3 Feb 2012 54,602 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted (7.4.B.1)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 1 Feb 2011 51,585 miles

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside rear tyre casing deteriorating / cracking

Pass 5 Feb 2010 48,208 miles

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

Front number plate deteriorating

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

Pass 3 Feb 2009 45,310 miles

Front number plate BORDERLINE PASS

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 2 Feb 2009 45,308 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incomplete (1.5.A1b)

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

Front number plate BORDERLINE PASS

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

offside wiper could be improved

Pass 29 Jan 2008 42,550 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Jan 2007 40,831 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Fail 23 Jan 2006 38,540 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 23 Jan 2006 38,540 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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

L456 GCW is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 38 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.3%.

Across all 1994 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.3% with a typical mileage of 120,267 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 L456 GCW, 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 32 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 L456 GCW?

You can check the full history of L456 GCW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L456 GCW registered?

L456 GCW is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 January 1994.

Is L456 GCW safe to buy?

The MOT history for L456 GCW shows 38 tests with a 55.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L456 GCW 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 L456 GCW. 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.