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L981 ADG

1994 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Jun 2027
Tests35 (21 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

21,186 mi
Last recorded21,186 miles
Recorded on24 Jun 2026
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL981 ADG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1994
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

21 pass 14 fail
Pass 24 Jun 2026 21,186 miles

Fuel tank slightly corroded near rear mounting points

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

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Zone B <40mm (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Jun 2026 21,186 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Front (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Fuel tank slightly corroded near rear mounting points

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

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Zone B <40mm (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 26 Jun 2025 20,782 miles

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre

Pass 24 May 2024 19,867 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2023 18,506 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive transfer box front seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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))

Rear Drive shaft joint worn, but not excessively prop rear u/j (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 29 Apr 2022 17,042 miles

Nearside Rear outrigger corroded

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive front & rear differential pinion seals seeping (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 28 Apr 2022 17,004 miles

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear outrigger corroded

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive front & rear differential pinion seals seeping (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 27 Apr 2021 14,740 miles

Rear Drive shaft joint worn, but not excessively prop rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Fail 27 Apr 2021 14,740 miles

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear Drive shaft joint worn, but not excessively prop rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 27 May 2020 13,252 miles

Nearside Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement "c" bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement "c" bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive axle pinion bearing slight play, seal seeping (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 27 May 2020 13,252 miles

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

Nearside Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement "c" bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement "c" bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive axle pinion bearing slight play, seal seeping (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 14 Apr 2020 13,242 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Central Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced beam (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement "C" bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement "C" bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive axle pinion bearing worn, seal seeping (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

swivel seals seeping

Pass 9 Jul 2018 7,988 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 10 Jul 2017 4,236 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2016 100,095 miles

Offside Front tyre perished

Pass 15 Jul 2015 100,080 miles

Offside c arm bushes

nearside C arm Bushes

Fail 7 Jul 2015 100,076 miles

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

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside c arm bushes

nearside C arm Bushes

Pass 23 Jul 2014 100,049 miles

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

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

Nearside Lower Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Oil leak

advise all tyres perished due to age

Fail 23 Jul 2014 100,049 miles

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

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

Nearside Lower Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Oil leak

advise all tyres perished due to age

Pass 23 Jul 2013 100,049 miles

MILE ODOMETER

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 25 Jul 2012 100,092 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

mile odo not working

Fail 19 Jul 2012 100,092 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

mile odo not working

Pass 22 Jul 2011 100,078 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Jul 2011 100,078 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 21 Jul 2010 98,683 miles

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

both rear bump stops missing

nearside front swivel hub seal seeping

rear axle input seal seeping oil

rear propshaft sliding splines slight wear

steering drop arm ball joint dust cover insecure

Fail 19 Jul 2010 98,683 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

both rear bump stops missing

nearside front swivel hub seal seeping

rear axle input seal seeping oil

rear propshaft sliding splines slight wear

steering drop arm ball joint dust cover insecure

Pass 25 Jul 2009 96,044 miles

Propshaft component defective

rear differential input seal leaking

Fail 21 Jul 2009 96,044 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Front brake disc excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f) DANGEROUS

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Propshaft component defective

rear differential input seal leaking

steering damper bushes excessively worn

Pass 17 Jul 2008 92,895 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 18 Jul 2007 89,932 miles

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

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

Fail 17 Jul 2007 89,932 miles

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Steering component damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 24 Jul 2006 87,150 miles
Fail 21 Jul 2006 87,150 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 13 Jul 2005 84,037 miles

advise boot on idler split

advise slight brake judder

Fail 12 Jul 2005 84,037 miles

Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at a tie bar joint (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a tie bar joint (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

L981 ADG is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 L981 ADG, 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 L981 ADG?

You can check the full history of L981 ADG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L981 ADG registered?

L981 ADG is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 11 February 1994.

Is L981 ADG safe to buy?

The MOT history for L981 ADG shows 35 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L981 ADG 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 L981 ADG. 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.