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L491 BJU

1993 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Dec 2026
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

186,732 mi
Last recorded186,732 miles
Recorded on3 Dec 2025
Typical for 1993 Land Rover Defender118,574 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL491 BJU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1993
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

19 pass 7 fail
Pass 3 Dec 2025 186,732 miles

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

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

Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed both front damage (7.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 25 Nov 2024 177,678 miles

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

Offside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases very rusty (6.1.2 (a))

Seat belt slightly damaged both fronts have damage but no cuts (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 18 Dec 2023 170,478 miles

Nearside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 6 Dec 2022 162,431 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Pass 22 Dec 2021 156,967 miles

Nearside Front corrosion floor

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Fail 21 Dec 2021 156,967 miles

Offside Rear Outer Brake pad(s) incorrectly mounted (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front corrosion floor

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 12 Dec 2020 151,720 miles

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

Front Wheel bearing has slight play NS & OS (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Footwell small hole in floor

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Steering ball joint dust boot poor condition

Pass 28 May 2019 140,205 miles

Central Front Radiator top hose not fitted with clip/clamp

Front NS & OS Axle swivel joints leaking

Front Wipers do not park out of drivers view

Nearside Front Tyre has cuts in side wall

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 24 May 2019 140,203 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Central Front Radiator top hose not fitted with clip/clamp

Front NS & OS Axle swivel joints leaking

Front Wipers do not park out of drivers view

Nearside Front Tyre has cuts in side wall

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 7 Jun 2018 133,705 miles

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

Fail 7 Jun 2018 133,705 miles

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))

Pass 29 Jun 2017 126,613 miles

Front Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Fail 27 Oct 2016 126,401 miles

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

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

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

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

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Centre chassis rail behind (gearbox mount beam) (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Rear Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Centre Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Steering damper bushes worn

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

Nearside Front Spring mounting on chassis is very corroded

Offside Front Upper Shock "top hat" is corroded

Pass 27 Oct 2015 119,852 miles

all 4 tyre valves starting to perish.

both front indicator lenses starting to diss-colour.

front brake discs worn thin and liped.

rear axle top ball joint gaitor starting to split.

rear brake discs liped and surfaces rusty.

slight split in n/s/f (front) track rod ball joint gaitor.

various brake pipes corroded.

Fail 27 Oct 2015 119,852 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

various brake pipes corroded.

all 4 tyre valves starting to perish.

both front indicator lenses starting to diss-colour.

front brake discs worn thin and liped.

rear axle top ball joint gaitor starting to split.

rear brake discs liped and surfaces rusty.

slight split in n/s/f (front) track rod ball joint gaitor.

Pass 31 Mar 2014 111,140 miles

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

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

exhaust rusty

Fail 20 Mar 2014 110,919 miles

Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

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

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

exhaust rusty

Pass 19 Mar 2013 108,135 miles

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

Fail 8 Mar 2013 107,997 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2012 104,020 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2011 99,473 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2010 97,206 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2009 93,664 miles

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

corrosion to underside of vehicle

rear metal brake pipes slightly corroded

slight play detected in all four wheel bearings

Pass 13 Mar 2008 89,172 miles

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

Pass 23 Mar 2007 79,161 miles

handbrake lever close to the end of its working travel

offside front brake pipe corroding

offside front caliper, brake pipe corroding

rear axle brake pipe corroding

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing

Pass 7 Mar 2006 75,943 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

L491 BJU is a 1993 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 L491 BJU, 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 L491 BJU?

You can check the full history of L491 BJU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L491 BJU registered?

L491 BJU is a 1993 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 December 1993.

Is L491 BJU safe to buy?

The MOT history for L491 BJU shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L491 BJU 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 L491 BJU. 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.