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L996 VSM

1994 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Mar 2027
Tests39 (21 pass, 18 fail)
Pass rate53.8%

Mileage

121,625 mi
Last recorded121,625 miles
Recorded on19 Mar 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

RegistrationL996 VSM
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 18 fail
Pass 19 Mar 2026 121,625 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Mar 2026 121,625 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Mar 2025 118,962 miles

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

Pass 3 May 2024 116,918 miles

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

Nearside Front chassis corroded (not within prescribed area)

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

rear axle spring mountings corroded

wheels corroding

Fail 13 Mar 2024 116,918 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis at gearbox crossmember mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis at floor outrigger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front chassis corroded (not within prescribed area)

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

rear axle spring mountings corroded

wheels corroding

Pass 1 Apr 2023 114,417 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front and rear (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

nearside front chassis next to body mounting corroded

rear axle spring mountings corroded

Fail 6 Mar 2023 114,417 miles

Nearside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury step (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front and rear (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front chassis corroded and holed at body mounting

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened rear axle spring mountings (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 21 Feb 2022 111,440 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 21 Feb 2022 111,440 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Mar 2021 109,162 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 9 Mar 2021 109,162 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 11 Mar 2020 106,991 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

corrosion outside prescribed areas: nearside front chassis leg, nearside front outrigger, nearside rear floor of cab.

Fail 10 Mar 2020 106,991 miles

Nearside Front Steering locking device ineffective (2.1.3 (d))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

corrosion outside prescribed areas: nearside front chassis leg, nearside front outrigger, nearside rear floor of cab.

Pass 16 Mar 2019 104,653 miles

Brake servo damaged but function not impaired corroded (1.1.3 (e))

Nearside Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 12 Mar 2019 104,653 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Brake servo damaged but function not impaired corroded (1.1.3 (e))

Nearside Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 13 Mar 2018 102,615 miles

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Fail 13 Mar 2018 102,615 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported tailpipe (7.1.1)

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Pass 10 Mar 2017 101,200 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front outrigger corroded

Nearside seat runner mounting broken

Fail 9 Mar 2017 101,200 miles

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front outrigger corroded

Nearside seat runner mounting broken

Pass 8 Mar 2016 100,445 miles

Offside Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

drivers floor corroded

Fail 7 Mar 2016 100,445 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

drivers floor corroded

Pass 5 Mar 2015 98,811 miles

doors corroded

nearside and offside front floor corroded

Fail 2 Mar 2015 98,811 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)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

doors corroded

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

nearside and offside front floor corroded

Pass 14 Mar 2014 96,920 miles

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

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

nearside front door badly corroded on inside

nearside front floor corroded

offside front floor corroded and holed

Fail 3 Mar 2014 96,920 miles

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Upper Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

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

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

nearside front door badly corroded on inside

nearside front floor corroded

offside front floor corroded and holed

offside rear chassis leg badly corroded

Pass 28 Feb 2013 95,338 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Fail 26 Feb 2013 95,338 miles

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

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

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

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

bonnet catch release stiff

exhaust rear silencer flange corroded

Pass 22 Feb 2012 92,496 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

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

nearside windscreen wiper splitting

offside rear tyre cracking on inner sidewall

Fail 22 Feb 2012 92,496 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

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

nearside windscreen wiper splitting

offside rear tyre cracking on inner sidewall

Pass 1 Mar 2011 90,197 miles

nearside wiper splitting

offside rear tyre cracking

Nail in offside front tyre

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

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

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

drivers floor corroded and holed

front bumper badly corroded

front propshaft joint badly worn

nearside side step corroded/becoming loose

rear nearside and offside chassis corroded and holed

rear wiper split

Pass 10 Mar 2010 86,894 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

front bumper and sidesteps corroded

o/s and n/s seatbelts slightly damaged

o/s/r chassis corroded and holed

o/s/r tyre splitting

rear brake discs corroding

rear suspension bump stops missing

Fail 8 Mar 2010 86,894 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

front bumper and sidesteps corroded

o/s and n/s seatbelts slightly damaged

o/s/r chassis corroded and holed

o/s/r tyre splitting

rear brake discs corroding

rear suspension bump stops missing

tracking

Pass 2 Mar 2009 84,068 miles

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

front tyres wearing on edges(tracking)

o/s rear chassis corroded

o/s step corroded at rear

oil leak from n/s/r hub inner seal

reverse light not working

slight damage to n/s and o/s seat belts

slight oil leak fromn/s/f swivel joint seal

Pass 29 Feb 2008 81,289 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

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

n/s and o/s rear chassis corroding

n/s and o/s steps corroded

slight oil leak from n/s/f outer hub

tracking needs checking

Fail 26 Feb 2008 81,289 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

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

n/s and o/s rear chassis corroding

n/s and o/s steps corroded

slight oil leak from n/s/f outer hub

tracking needs checking

Pass 16 Feb 2007 77,864 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2007 77,864 miles

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

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

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

n/s/f and rear wiper blades splitting

Pass 17 Feb 2006 74,139 miles
Fail 13 Feb 2006 74,139 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

front number plate deteriorating

oil leak from corrosion on rear diff

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

L996 VSM is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 39 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.8%.

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 L996 VSM, 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 L996 VSM?

You can check the full history of L996 VSM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L996 VSM registered?

L996 VSM is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 March 1994.

Is L996 VSM safe to buy?

The MOT history for L996 VSM shows 39 tests with a 53.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L996 VSM 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 L996 VSM. 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.