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M878 ECS

1994 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Sep 2027
Tests30 (17 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate56.7%

Mileage

111,411 mi
Last recorded111,411 miles
Recorded on7 Sep 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

RegistrationM878 ECS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1994
ColourRed
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

17 pass 13 fail
Pass 7 Sep 2026 111,411 miles

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

Pass 2 Sep 2022 110,405 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2021 110,289 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play upper ball joint has slight play.[ above rear axle] (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front front diff leaking.

Front sump has slight oil leak.

Nearside Front swivel joint leaking.

Offside Front swivel joint leaking.

Rear rear diff leaking.

Fail 2 Oct 2021 110,255 miles

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.5.4 (a))

Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play upper ball joint has slight play.[ above rear axle] (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front front diff leaking.

Front sump has slight oil leak.

Nearside Front swivel joint leaking.

Offside Front swivel joint leaking.

Rear rear diff leaking.

Rear reverse lights not working.

Pass 15 Dec 2020 109,704 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all brake discs pitted on inner surfaces (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

front and rear differentials leaking at propshaft flanges

Pass 14 Nov 2019 108,720 miles
Pass 17 Dec 2018 107,869 miles

Brake warning device malfunctioning or defective (1.1.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

no reverse light

Fail 16 Nov 2018 107,867 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) drop arm (2.3 (a) (i))

Brake warning device malfunctioning or defective handbrake lamp (1.1.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

reverse light not working

Pass 2 Nov 2017 107,304 miles

footbrake only just met required pass limit at 50%

n/s/r disc coated with oil/grease on inner face

Fail 2 Nov 2017 197,304 miles

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

footbrake only just met required pass limit at 50%

n/s/r disc coated with oil/grease on inner face

Pass 4 Nov 2016 105,393 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2015 103,792 miles

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

Fail 23 Nov 2015 103,781 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

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

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

Pass 15 Nov 2012 103,775 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

front propshaft uj joints worn

light switch for main and dip beam worn

wiper switch worn

Fail 8 Nov 2012 103,775 miles

Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Radius arm attachment bracket/mounting fractured (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

front propshaft uj joints worn

light switch for main and dip beam worn

n/s/f brake slight bind

wiper switch worn

Pass 20 Oct 2011 103,777 miles

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

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

o/s door mirror cracked

o/s wiper linkage loose

steering box slight oil leak

Fail 19 Oct 2011 103,775 miles

Nearside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

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

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

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

o/s door mirror cracked

o/s wiper linkage loose

steering box slight oil leak

Pass 23 Oct 2010 103,775 miles

Nearside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

rear brake back plates missing,rear propshaft bolts loose,front propshaft uj worn,

Fail 21 Oct 2010 103,775 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Nearside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

rear brake back plates missing,rear propshaft bolts loose,front propshaft uj worn,

Pass 16 Sep 2009 103,775 miles
Fail 16 Sep 2009 103,775 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Fail 20 Aug 2009 103,593 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) incomplete (1.1.4a)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incomplete (1.1.4a)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Pass 9 Aug 2008 99,062 miles
Fail 8 Aug 2008 99,062 miles

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

o/s rear brake disc

Pass 15 Aug 2007 93,623 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2007 93,623 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

gear box mounting broken

n/s rear bump stop missing

Propshaft component defective

Pass 15 Aug 2006 86,908 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2006 86,908 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 11 Aug 2005 80,794 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2005 80,749 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the left (1.6.B4)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

Rear Brake pad(s) locking device insecure (3.5.1l)

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

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

M878 ECS is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.7%.

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 M878 ECS, 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 M878 ECS?

You can check the full history of M878 ECS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M878 ECS registered?

M878 ECS is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1994.

Is M878 ECS safe to buy?

The MOT history for M878 ECS shows 30 tests with a 56.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M878 ECS 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 M878 ECS. 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.