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L697 XMW

1994 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Jun 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

145,316 mi
Last recorded145,316 miles
Recorded on29 May 2026
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL697 XMW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1994
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 12 fail
Pass 29 May 2026 145,316 miles

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

Nearside Front bulk head corroded

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 May 2025 144,938 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement axle stabiliser arm bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front bulk head corroded

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

Offside Front Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (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 6 Jun 2024 144,553 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2024 144,552 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2023 143,684 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 8 Jun 2023 143,684 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 9 May 2022 142,751 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Fail 26 Apr 2022 142,751 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Steering box drop arm likely to become detached (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel to the extent that safe steering is affected (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2021 141,009 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Pass 29 Apr 2020 138,686 miles

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

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

Nearside Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Offside Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Fail 28 Apr 2020 138,686 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Front Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail (6.1.7 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2019 136,560 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2018 133,882 miles

Front Propshaft universal joint worn

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Spare wheel insecure

Fail 27 Mar 2018 133,882 miles

Central Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Front Propshaft universal joint worn

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Pass 13 Apr 2017 131,490 miles

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

Oil leak

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

n/s and o/s front track rod end dust covers perished

rear centre axle ball joint dust cover perished

Fail 11 Apr 2017 131,490 miles

Central Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Central Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid both (8.2.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Oil leak

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

n/s and o/s front track rod end dust covers perished

rear centre axle ball joint dust cover perished

Pass 12 Apr 2016 129,534 miles

front propshaft u/j joint worn

Fail 7 Apr 2016 129,534 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid both (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced holed (1.7.5a)

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

front propshaft u/j joint worn

Pass 24 Mar 2015 128,334 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Mar 2015 128,334 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 4 Feb 2014 127,123 miles

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

front wiper arms/linckage worn

Fail 3 Feb 2014 127,123 miles

Offside Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.2.B.1a)

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

front wiper arms/linckage worn

Pass 15 Mar 2013 126,313 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2013 126,313 miles

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

requires under carriage clean before retest

Pass 22 Mar 2012 125,310 miles

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

n/s and o/s wiper arms worn

rear axle corroded

Pass 3 Mar 2011 124,404 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2011 124,404 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching badly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

Pass 11 Nov 2009 121,606 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Nov 2008 120,091 miles
Pass 9 Nov 2007 118,772 miles

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

Fail 9 Nov 2007 118,772 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2006 114,585 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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.

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L697 XMW is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 L697 XMW, 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 L697 XMW?

You can check the full history of L697 XMW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L697 XMW registered?

L697 XMW is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 21 June 1994.

Is L697 XMW safe to buy?

The MOT history for L697 XMW shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L697 XMW 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 L697 XMW. 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.