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M285 XTC

1994 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Aug 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

158,911 mi
Last recorded158,911 miles
Recorded on28 Aug 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

RegistrationM285 XTC
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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 28 Aug 2026 158,911 miles

Bonnet primary retaining device slightly deteriorated (3.1 (c))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

considerable corrosion nder vehicle

some play in steering

surface cracks and perish marks in offside front tyre

Fail 20 Aug 2026 158,901 miles

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

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Bonnet primary retaining device slightly deteriorated (3.1 (c))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

considerable corrosion nder vehicle

some play in steering

surface cracks and perish marks in offside front tyre

Pass 19 Aug 2025 158,580 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front flooring corroding

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

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged cover missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel linkage ball joint (2.3 (a) (i))

light switch loose

steering box arm dust boot perishing

steering stiff

steering wheel condition

under side and chassis under sealed

Fail 19 Aug 2025 158,580 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front flooring corroding

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

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

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged cover missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel linkage ball joint (2.3 (a) (i))

light switch loose

steering box arm dust boot perishing

steering stiff

steering wheel condition

under side and chassis under sealed

Pass 10 Aug 2024 157,912 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged cover missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel steering wheel linkage ball joint (2.3 (a) (i))

light switch slightly loose

steering box arm dust boot perishing

steering wheel condition

under side under sealed

Pass 17 Aug 2023 157,089 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all 4 (1.1.11 (c))

Central Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

steering wheel condition

vehicle heavily undersealed

Fail 12 Aug 2023 156,856 miles

Central Front Seat belt missing (7.1.2 (a))

Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all 4 (1.1.11 (c))

Central Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

steering wheel condition

vehicle heavily undersealed

Pass 16 Aug 2022 154,516 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged cover missing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

chassis and brake pipes under sealed

steering wheel worn

Pass 27 Aug 2021 151,944 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2021 151,945 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt A frame on axle (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Pass 6 Aug 2020 150,307 miles

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

Fail 5 Aug 2020 150,307 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Power steering inoperative and steering adversely affected (2.1.5 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 3 Aug 2019 142,022 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material a cross rear axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Seat belt flexible stalk damaged cover missing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

fuel tank damp

Pass 31 Jul 2018 140,404 miles

Offside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged cover missing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 9 Aug 2017 136,493 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Oil leak engine bay area

seat belt cover missing

Fail 22 Jul 2017 136,484 miles

Central Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working not staying on (1.7.4c)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' wipers not parking (8.3.1b)

o/s/r bump stop missing

oil leak

seat belt cover missing

slight play in n/s/r wheel bearing

Pass 19 Mar 2016 134,995 miles

o/s/r wheel bearing slight play

oil leak

Pass 29 Nov 2014 133,675 miles

engine oil leak.rear prop u j wearing.slight play in steering box drop arm ball joint.

Pass 8 Nov 2013 129,452 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2012 126,579 miles

Oil leak

Pass 13 Aug 2011 124,414 miles

Oil leak

steering box ball joint slight play

Pass 7 Aug 2010 116,959 miles

n/s/r bearing slight play

Pass 8 Aug 2009 107,145 miles

oil leak

Fail 8 Aug 2009 107,139 miles

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

oil leak

Pass 2 Jul 2008 90,844 miles
Fail 30 Dec 2006 90,014 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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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M285 XTC is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 M285 XTC, 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 M285 XTC?

You can check the full history of M285 XTC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M285 XTC registered?

M285 XTC is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1994.

Is M285 XTC safe to buy?

The MOT history for M285 XTC shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M285 XTC 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 M285 XTC. 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.