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M478 MBA

1994 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 May 2027
Tests19 (15 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate78.9%

Mileage

147,173 mi
Last recorded147,173 miles
Recorded on15 May 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

RegistrationM478 MBA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1994
ColourGrey
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

15 pass 4 fail
Pass 15 May 2026 147,173 miles

Central Rear axle ball joint dustcover deteriorated

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

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

Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive bulkhead (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Front Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Offside Front Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front hub oil seal slight leak

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 May 2025 146,846 miles

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

Nearside Front swivel hub slight play

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Front panhard ram bush slight play

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

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

Pass 5 Mar 2024 146,452 miles

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

Nearside Front hub slight play

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Offside Front hub oil seal slight leak

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2023 146,200 miles

Nearside Front hub slight play

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

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

Offside Front hub oil seal slight leak

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

Pass 26 Jan 2022 145,984 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 2 Feb 2021 145,291 miles

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

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

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

Battery tray corroded

Pass 6 Feb 2020 144,117 miles

Nearside Front floor pan slight corrosion

Nearside Rear floor pan slight corrosion

Pass 31 Jan 2019 143,619 miles

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

Fail 30 Jan 2019 143,619 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Feb 2018 143,038 miles
Pass 3 Feb 2017 141,206 miles
Fail 31 Jan 2017 141,199 miles

Front Anti-roll bar missing (2.4.G.1)

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

rear parking brake recording little or no effort Unable to get sufficient effort due to brake grabbing (3.7.B.6a)

Rear seatbelts not fitted

Steering damper not fitted

Pass 8 Oct 2016 141,032 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2016 141,028 miles

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

Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Headlamp switch faulty high beam (1.7.1)

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

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

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

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

rear brake recording little or no effort nearside 108 and offside 96 (3.7.B.5a)

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

Pass 28 Aug 2014 138,790 miles

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

bonnet cable broken

engine oil leak

Pass 21 Aug 2013 132,686 miles

n/s/f hub oil seal leeking

Fail 8 Aug 2013 132,654 miles

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

Fuel tank insecure (7.2.1)

Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

Nearside Front Front drive shaft coupling is excessively worn (2.5.C.1c)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

Trailer electrical socket (13 pin) not operating the trailer lamps as intended (1.9.4)

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Aug 2012 126,672 miles

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

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 4 Sep 2006 95,876 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.

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M478 MBA is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.9%.

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 M478 MBA, 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 M478 MBA?

You can check the full history of M478 MBA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M478 MBA registered?

M478 MBA is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 9 August 1994.

Is M478 MBA safe to buy?

The MOT history for M478 MBA shows 19 tests with a 78.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M478 MBA 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 M478 MBA. 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.