CarVerify

Free Car Check

L555 AVE

1998 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Dec 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

93,405 mi
Last recorded93,405 miles
Recorded on24 Nov 2025
Typical for 1998 Land Rover Defender110,057 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 £9.99

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

RegistrationL555 AVE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1998
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 24 Nov 2025 93,405 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2024 90,537 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear halfshaft seal leaking not affecting brake performance

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 30 Nov 2023 86,480 miles

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 20 Dec 2022 82,873 miles

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 7 Dec 2022 82,873 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated oil on disc (1.1.14 (b))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 13 Dec 2021 79,361 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 7 Dec 2021 79,357 miles

Nearside Front Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps (4.1.3 (b))

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

Offside Front Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps (4.1.3 (b))

Offside Front Lower Driver's door hinge insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose damaged and likely to fail (1.1.12 (a)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Steering column universal joint insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 15 Dec 2020 75,892 miles

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

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

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

Nearside Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened shock absorber (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both rear shock absorbers (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all wheels corroded

both front hub oil seals leaking

egr pipe slight leak

front exhaust corroded

Fail 10 Dec 2020 75,835 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

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

Nearside Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened shock absorber (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both rear shock absorbers (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all wheels corroded

both front hub oil seals leaking

egr pipe slight leak

front exhaust corroded

Pass 5 Dec 2019 73,085 miles

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

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Front Lower bulkhead corroded not in a prescribed area

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

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

both front hub oil seals leaking

exhaust slightly corroded

slight leak egr valve pipe

wheels becoming corroded

Fail 27 Nov 2019 73,029 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Front Lower bulkhead corroded not in a prescribed area

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

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

both front hub oil seals leaking

exhaust slightly corroded

slight leak egr valve pipe

wheels becoming corroded

Pass 11 Dec 2018 69,733 miles

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

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

both front hub oil seals leaking

slight leak from egr valve pipe

Fail 28 Nov 2018 69,641 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases flexi joint (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Nearside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Sound deadening material not fully secure bonnet (8.1.1 (b) (i))

both front hub oil seals leaking

slight leak from egr valve pipe

Pass 21 Nov 2017 65,257 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases EGR pipe cracked. (7.1.2)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint pump area. (2.3.3b)

Indicator stalk worn but main beam still operated at time of test.

Nearside Front Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Offside Front main side light slightly dim.

Oil leak Engine area. ()

Power steering fluid level low, but not below minimum (2.3.1)

Pass 22 Nov 2016 61,462 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2016 61,460 miles

Nearside Front Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Ball joint has excessive play from steering box arm (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Nearside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 7 Dec 2015 57,962 miles

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

Nearside Front hub weeping

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

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

Fail 8 Jun 2015 56,788 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Oil leak

rear tie rod bushes split but not moving

Pass 13 Jun 2014 52,605 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Jun 2014 52,602 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jun 2013 48,127 miles

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 6 Jun 2012 43,659 miles

N/S/F wheel bearing slight noise

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

engine oil leak

signs of corrosion to chassis and body of vehicle

transmission oil leak

Pass 7 Jun 2011

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

Fail 7 Jun 2011 39,322 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Jun 2010 35,280 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

both front brake discs slightly pitted

both rear brake discs slightly pitted

oil leak from transfer box at front prop shaft oil seal

Fail 14 Jun 2010 35,279 miles

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

both front brake discs slightly pitted

both rear brake discs slightly pitted

oil leak from transfer box at front prop shaft oil seal

Pass 19 Jun 2009 333,001 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Jun 2009 33,300 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 May 2008 29,355 miles
Fail 21 May 2008 29,355 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a) DANGEROUS

Pass 29 May 2007 26,983 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Jun 2006 23,807 miles
Fail 31 May 2006 23,807 miles

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

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

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

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

L555 AVE is a 1998 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1998 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.3% with a typical mileage of 110,057 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 L555 AVE, 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 28 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 L555 AVE?

You can check the full history of L555 AVE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L555 AVE registered?

L555 AVE is a 1998 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 11 June 1998.

Is L555 AVE safe to buy?

The MOT history for L555 AVE shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L555 AVE 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 L555 AVE. 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.