CarVerify

Free Car Check

M873 SWY

1994 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Dec 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

155,066 mi
Last recorded155,066 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2025
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationM873 SWY
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2025 155,066 miles

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened Axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened Axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 17 Dec 2025 155,066 miles

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened Axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened Axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Dec 2024 153,983 miles

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

Fail 13 Dec 2024 153,983 miles

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Dec 2023 152,260 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Drag link end slightly misaligned (2.1.3 (e))

Nearside Front Track rod end slightly misaligned (2.1.3 (e))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2022 150,146 miles

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 14 Dec 2022 150,111 miles

Central Front Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) front bush on stearing shcoker staibilser (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Oil leaking excessively from transmission nsf swivel seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Oil leaking excessively from transmission osf swivel seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 15 Dec 2021 146,603 miles

Fuel tank support partially corroded but fuel tank still secure

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged slight door latch damage to webbing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front U/J on front prop (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear axle bump stops slightly insecure

Pass 16 Dec 2020 145,746 miles

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Front prop front U/J slightly worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Dec 2019 145,494 miles

Front Swivel housings both have slight grease / oil leaks

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Front pipe blowing onto chassis (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Vehicle has been extensively undersealed

Fail 16 Dec 2019 145,494 miles

Front Swivel housings both have slight grease / oil leaks

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Front pipe blowing onto chassis (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Vehicle has been extensively undersealed

Pass 3 Apr 2018 145,226 miles

Front Front constant velocity joint is slightly worn Front U/J slight wear (2.5.C.1b)

Fail 3 Apr 2018 145,226 miles

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

Front Front constant velocity joint is slightly worn Front U/J slight wear (2.5.C.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 1 Dec 2016 142,329 miles

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

Fail 1 Dec 2016 142,329 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Fail 6 Jul 2016 142,325 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Fail 22 Apr 2015 140,159 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Vehicle structure repaired around towbar.

Pass 22 Apr 2015 140,159 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Vehicle structure repaired around towbar.

Pass 29 Apr 2014 137,509 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

Pass 21 May 2013 135,071 miles
Pass 21 May 2012 132,178 miles
Pass 27 May 2011 129,029 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 25 May 2010 125,482 miles
Fail 20 May 2010 125,482 miles

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

Pass 12 May 2009 121,936 miles
Pass 28 May 2008 118,558 miles
Fail 27 May 2008 118,558 miles

Front passenger seat insecure (6.2.3)

Pass 9 May 2007 112,574 miles

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

Pass 26 May 2006 104,657 miles
Fail 26 May 2006 104,657 miles

Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (hotspot centre above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.C1)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

oil leak

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

M873 SWY is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 M873 SWY, 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 M873 SWY?

You can check the full history of M873 SWY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M873 SWY registered?

M873 SWY is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 16 August 1994.

Is M873 SWY safe to buy?

The MOT history for M873 SWY shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M873 SWY 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 M873 SWY. 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.