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L978 CTA

1994 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Dec 2026
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

147,594 mi
Last recorded147,594 miles
Recorded on19 Dec 2025
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationL978 CTA
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

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 19 Dec 2025 147,594 miles
Fail 19 Dec 2025 147,594 miles

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

Pass 16 Dec 2024 140,768 miles
Pass 21 Dec 2023 137,626 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2022 135,055 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2021 134,269 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2020 132,592 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light (4.9.2 (a))

Fail 8 Jun 2020 132,592 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light (4.9.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 16 Aug 2017 131,827 miles

all 4 coil springs slightly corroded

Pass 26 Aug 2016 128,752 miles
Fail 19 Aug 2016 128,728 miles

Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded brake pedal mounting, excessivly corroded in prescribed area (3.3.A.2)

Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

Fail 20 Apr 2015 126,961 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 20 Apr 2015 126,961 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2014 124,908 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 7 Apr 2014 124,561 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 15 Apr 2013 122,022 miles
Fail 5 Apr 2013 121,993 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

brake not tested due to prop shaft

o/s/r brake disce rusty

Pass 5 Apr 2012 119,964 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2011 116,810 miles

Diesel seepage at spill pipes.

Fail 7 Feb 2011 116,720 miles

Front Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

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

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 16 Oct 2009 103,474 miles

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

slight play in front hubs

surface corrosion on chassis

Pass 12 Jun 2008 103,360 miles
Fail 11 Jun 2008 103,360 miles

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

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

Pass 4 May 2007 98,034 miles
Fail 4 May 2007 98,034 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Fail 6 Jan 2006 92,331 miles

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

Pass 6 Jan 2006 92,331 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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L978 CTA is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 L978 CTA, 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 L978 CTA?

You can check the full history of L978 CTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L978 CTA registered?

L978 CTA is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 5 January 1994.

Is L978 CTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for L978 CTA shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L978 CTA 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 L978 CTA. 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.