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L981 ADS

1993 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Dec 2026
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

94,397 mi
Last recorded94,397 miles
Recorded on10 Nov 2025
Typical for 1993 Land Rover Defender118,574 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationL981 ADS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1993
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

18 pass 9 fail
Pass 10 Nov 2025 94,397 miles

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

Oil leak, but not excessive front and rear axles (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Nov 2024 92,370 miles
Pass 5 Dec 2023 90,209 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2022 88,408 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2021 87,233 miles

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

sweat from fuel tank

Pass 25 Nov 2020 85,634 miles

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive axle casing (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 29 Nov 2019 84,407 miles

Coil spring corroded all (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

engine oil leak

Pass 26 Nov 2018 83,731 miles

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Nov 2017 83,172 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Offside Front tyre sidewall has cuts not deep enough to reach ply or cords

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 17 Nov 2016 82,418 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing slightly rough when rotating

Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 2 Nov 2015 82,099 miles

Front wiper linkage deteriorated

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

Pass 12 Nov 2014 81,212 miles

Oil leak

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

front bumper excessively corroded

Fail 11 Nov 2014 81,212 miles

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Oil leak

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

front bumper excessively corroded

Pass 21 Nov 2013 80,499 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2013 80,499 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Pass 10 Nov 2012 79,800 miles

Brake fluid low.

Main battery feed insecure fouling exhaust.

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

Fail 10 Nov 2012 79,800 miles

Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

Brake fluid low.

Main battery feed insecure fouling exhaust.

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

Fail 23 Oct 2012 79,799 miles

Brake warning device not working correctly (3.3.D.3a)

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

exhaust middle section holed

exhaust middle section support bracket insecure

o/s/f mirror loose

rear discs corroded

Fail 19 Apr 2010 79,619 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is deliberately modified which significantly reduces the original strength (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is deliberately modified which significantly reduces the original strength (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is deliberately modified which significantly reduces the original strength (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is deliberately modified which significantly reduces the original strength (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

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

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

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

Pass 17 Apr 2009 76,847 miles
Fail 3 Apr 2009 76,847 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

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

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

Pass 15 Apr 2008 72,767 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2008 72,763 miles

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Pass 19 Apr 2007 71,369 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2007 71,369 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 2 May 2006 66,704 miles
Fail 28 Apr 2006 66,704 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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.

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L981 ADS is a 1993 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 66.7%.

Across all 1993 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 118,574 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 ADS, 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 33 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 ADS?

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

What year was L981 ADS registered?

L981 ADS is a 1993 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 1993.

Is L981 ADS safe to buy?

The MOT history for L981 ADS shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L981 ADS 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 ADS. 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.