CarVerify

Free Car Check

M533 SYB

1994 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Nov 2026
Tests35 (18 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate51.4%

Mileage

214,487 mi
Last recorded214,487 miles
Recorded on6 Nov 2025
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationM533 SYB
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

18 pass 17 fail
Pass 6 Nov 2025 214,487 miles

(engine various oil leaks)

(front diff leaking oil)

(gearbox oil leak)

(rear diff leaking oil)

(transfer box leaking oil)

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 31 Oct 2025 214,446 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.2.1 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Front passenger door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed (6.2.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

(clutch pedal rubber missing)

(engine various oil leaks)

(front diff leaking oil)

(gearbox oil leak)

(rear diff leaking oil)

(transfer box leaking oil)

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 6 Aug 2024 208,227 miles

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

Fail 6 Aug 2024 208,227 miles

Central Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2023 200,968 miles

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

Fail 24 Mar 2023 200,968 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 9 Nov 2021 193,052 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 2 Nov 2021 193,050 miles

Front Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements obscured by ladder rack (0.1 (d))

Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Offside Front Steering box drop arm likely to become detached (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 17 Mar 2020 182,290 miles

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

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

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

Power steering malfunctioning but not seriously affecting operation.

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 17 Mar 2020 182,290 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Passenger's seat insecure Offside & nearside rear (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Power steering malfunctioning but not seriously affecting operation.

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 30 Jan 2019 171,819 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Chipped on top edge and starting to delaminate. (0.1 (b))

Fail 29 Jan 2019 171,809 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Brake performance not tested Due to leakage. (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged Debris believed to be jamming mechanism. (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Chipped on top edge and starting to delaminate. (0.1 (b))

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Feb 2018 163,724 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2018 163,724 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 20 Feb 2017 154,515 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2017 154,506 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

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

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

Rear Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a ball joint (2.5.A.3b)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported silencer mounting (7.1.1)

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

Stop lamp not working no brake lights due to bad earth (1.2.1b)

Pass 25 Jun 2016 149,120 miles
Fail 25 Jun 2016 149,120 miles

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

Pass 7 Mar 2015 140,720 miles

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

clutch pedal antislip missing...

nsr shock absorber dust cover /shroud rusty...

Fail 27 Feb 2015 140,716 miles

Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

clutch pedal antislip missing...

nsr shock absorber dust cover /shroud rusty...

Pass 8 Feb 2014 136,751 miles

nsr shockabsorber shroud/dustcover corroding.

rust present osf sill / door shut.

slight wear osr lower shockabsorber bushes.

Fail 31 Jan 2014 136,738 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

nsr shockabsorber shroud/dustcover corroding.

rust present osf sill / door shut.

slight wear osr lower shockabsorber bushes.

Pass 6 Sep 2012 132,271 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2012 132,269 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2011 129,034 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2011 129,034 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear 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) DANGEROUS

slight play both rear wheel bearings

Pass 16 Aug 2010 124,691 miles

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

Pass 15 Jun 2009 119,340 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2009 119,334 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Pass 17 Jun 2008 115,028 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2008 115,022 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

rear cross member weakened by corrosion

Pass 14 Jun 2007 111,789 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2007 111,977 miles

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

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

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 20 Jul 2006 108,490 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2006 108,484 miles

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

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

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

M533 SYB is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.4%.

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 M533 SYB, 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 M533 SYB?

You can check the full history of M533 SYB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M533 SYB registered?

M533 SYB is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 August 1994.

Is M533 SYB safe to buy?

The MOT history for M533 SYB shows 35 tests with a 51.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M533 SYB 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 M533 SYB. 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.