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M397 ERW

1994 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Feb 2027
Tests24 (18 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

100,001 mi
Last recorded100,001 miles
Recorded on18 Feb 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

RegistrationM397 ERW
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 6 fail
Pass 18 Feb 2026 100,001 miles

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

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

chassis corroded

Fail 17 Feb 2026 100,001 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

chassis corroded

Pass 2 Aug 2023 100,007 miles

Manufactures engine and body covers fitted restricting full inspection

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn both front c arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Underside coated in waxoil/ underseal restricting full inspection of body chassis brake pipes and suspension componants

Pass 4 May 2022 100,007 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 4 May 2022 100,007 miles

Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Mar 2021 100,008 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front play in axle swivel pin

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

clutch pedal anti slip missing

Fail 22 Mar 2021 100,008 miles

Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Drag link 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 Front Suspension arm insecurely attached rear bolt (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassie in front of wheel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front play in axle swivel pin

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

clutch pedal anti slip missing

Pass 24 Mar 2020 100,004 miles

Offside Rear wheel corroded around valve hole

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

Fail 23 Mar 2020 100,004 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt on top of axle (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp lens seriously defective hole (4.2.1 (b))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear wheel corroded around valve hole

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

Pass 18 Mar 2019 100,002 miles

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

Pass 10 Feb 2018 100,000 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 4 Feb 2017 100,003 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 5 Feb 2016 100,005 miles

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

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

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

Fail 27 Jan 2015 100,008 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2015 100,008 miles

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2014 100,002 miles

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

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

Fail 22 Jan 2013 100,008 miles

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 22 Jan 2013 100,008 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2012 100,004 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jan 2011 100,005 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Dec 2009 100,000 miles

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

Pass 13 Dec 2008 100,004 miles

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 26 Nov 2007 100,005 miles

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

Pass 14 Nov 2006 96,605 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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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

M397 ERW is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 M397 ERW, 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 M397 ERW?

You can check the full history of M397 ERW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M397 ERW registered?

M397 ERW is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 7 September 1994.

Is M397 ERW safe to buy?

The MOT history for M397 ERW shows 24 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M397 ERW 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 M397 ERW. 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.