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L638 LMO

1989 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Aug 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

92,204 mi
Last recorded92,204 miles
Recorded on11 Aug 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL638 LMO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 11 Aug 2026 92,204 miles

Exhaust mounting defective Centre section (6.1.2 (a))

Indicator switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 3 Aug 2026 92,196 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested Due to brake leaking (1.2.1 (g))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective Centre section (6.1.2 (a))

Indicator switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 28 Jul 2025 88,016 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2024 82,614 miles
Pass 4 Oct 2023 78,865 miles

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

Pass 9 Feb 2023 75,911 miles

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play on axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 26 Jan 2023 75,773 miles

Brake performance not tested unable to carry out decelerometer test due to steering fault (1.2.1 (g))

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Power steering malfunctioning very stiff operation (2.1.5 (a))

Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near body mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light lens missing (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near body mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 22 Dec 2021 73,181 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2021 73,177 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing clutch pedal (1.1.2 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded mid to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp flashes when indicators activated (4.5.4 (b))

Oil leaking excessively from transmission Leak/Parking Brake Drum (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Power steering component leaking Steering Box Leaking Excessively (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

fuel tank corroded

Pass 30 Jan 2020 65,975 miles

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

Fail 30 Jan 2020 65,974 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2018 63,109 miles

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

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive steering box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 2 Nov 2018 63,107 miles

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive steering box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 13 Oct 2017 58,145 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2016 54,818 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak engine

Oil leak gearbox

Fail 14 Sep 2016 54,818 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box (2.2.C.1c)

Centre Brake pipe excessively corroded front to back (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) on arm (2.2.A.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak engine

Oil leak gearbox

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

Pass 15 Sep 2015 52,165 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 Sep 2015 52,165 miles

Nearside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (1.1.C.1a)

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Sep 2014 45,905 miles
Fail 9 Sep 2014 45,905 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2013 37,863 miles

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

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

Fail 20 Sep 2013 37,863 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2012 31,067 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Aug 2011 21,939 miles

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

slight blow on exhaust

Pass 17 Aug 2010 20,613 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 18 Aug 2009 20,584 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2009 20,584 miles

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 19 Aug 2008 20,259 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

hand brake warning lamp not working

rear registration plate poor condition

Pass 20 Jun 2007 19,591 miles

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

Handbrake warning lamp not working.

Oil Leak "Rear main seal"

Rear registration plate getting poor condition

Pass 30 Jun 2006 18,291 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2006 18,291 miles

Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

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

L638 LMO is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1989 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 127,912 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 L638 LMO, 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 37 years old, this Land Rover Defender is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of L638 LMO?

You can check the full history of L638 LMO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L638 LMO registered?

L638 LMO is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is L638 LMO safe to buy?

The MOT history for L638 LMO shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L638 LMO 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 L638 LMO. 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.