CarVerify

Free Car Check

M974 SWY

1994 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

98,339 mi
Last recorded98,339 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1994 Land Rover Defender120,267 mi

Below or 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

RegistrationM974 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

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 98,339 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2024 97,951 miles

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

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

Offside Front swivel/ball leaking

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

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

various items corroded underneath

Fail 20 Jun 2024 97,946 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt back (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

various items corroded underneath

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

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

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

Offside Front swivel/ball leaking

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

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Pass 14 Jul 2023 97,109 miles

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

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

Fail 11 Jul 2023 97,095 miles

Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Steering damper mounting (2.1.2 (e) (i))

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

Nearside Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Track rod 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 Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn A frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Steering damper leaking

Pass 11 Jul 2022 96,042 miles

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

Offside Front hub weeping oil

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

Fail 11 Jul 2022 96,042 miles

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

Offside Front hub weeping oil

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

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

Pass 13 May 2021 94,160 miles

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

Pass 1 Jul 2020 92,505 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

rear axle a frame ball joint has slight play

Fail 24 Jun 2020 92,496 miles

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

Driver's door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed (6.2.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail rear uj (6.1.7 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

rear axle a frame ball joint has slight play

Pass 27 Jun 2019 90,080 miles

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

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 rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 24 Jun 2019 90,073 miles

Fuel tank leaking filler neck pipe corroded (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted tyre fouling on lock (2.1.4 (b))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

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

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

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

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 rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 29 Jun 2018 87,909 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Jun 2017 84,568 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2016 83,695 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2016 83,693 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 26 Nov 2015 83,562 miles
Fail 23 Nov 2015 83,556 miles

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

Vehicle structure has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting nsr chassis (6.6.6)

Vehicle structure has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting nsr chassis (6.6.6)

Vehicle structure has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting osr chassis (6.6.6)

Vehicle structure has excessive damage seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a towbar mounting osr chassis (6.6.6)

Pass 29 Oct 2014 83,264 miles

door shuts, osf floor inner chassis holes, sill to floors, all corroded, under body mudy & rusty

Fail 27 Oct 2014 83,257 miles

Centre Rear Suspension arm locating pin locking device missing (2.4.G.3b)

Nearside Front brake caliper locking device missing (3.5.1l)

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

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

door shuts, osf floor inner chassis holes, sill to floors, all corroded, under body mudy & rusty

Pass 22 Oct 2013 82,883 miles

Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Oil leak

offside floor pan corroded and small hole

underside of vehicle corroded,dirty and repaired

Pass 9 Nov 2012 82,476 miles

chassis heavily corroded

coil springs corroded

front trailing arm bushes worn and perished

oil leak

vehicle corroded and dirty

vehicle undersealed

weld repairs to vehicle

Fail 7 Nov 2012 82,476 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

chassis heavily corroded

coil springs corroded

front trailing arm bushes worn and perished

oil leak

vehicle corroded and dirty

vehicle undersealed

weld repairs to vehicle

Fail 24 Oct 2012 82,464 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is fractured (5.2.6)

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is fractured (5.2.6)

sills to floor corroded, all chassis very rusty, nsr directiob faded, front inner pads getting low, slight play steering idler ball joint, nsr stableizer bush cracking,

Pass 4 Apr 2011 81,890 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

all rear suspension bushes perished

chassis corroded , repaired , muddy and in poor condition

cuts in nearside front tyre side wall and offside rear

rear A frame castle nut locking pin missing

rear brake discs corroded and in poor condition

rear brake flexi hose muddy and ferrises corroded

rear tow bar mounts corroded

slight play in nearside front steering drop arm ball joint

Fail 31 Mar 2011 81,890 miles

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

all rear suspension bushes perished

chassis corroded , repaired , muddy and in poor condition

cuts in nearside front tyre side wall and offside rear

rear A frame castle nut locking pin missing

rear brake discs corroded and in poor condition

rear brake flexi hose muddy and ferrises corroded

rear tow bar mounts corroded

slight play in nearside front steering drop arm ball joint

Pass 14 Dec 2009 79,733 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2009 79,733 miles

Front Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front 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)

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

Pass 20 Nov 2008 75,653 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2008 75,653 miles

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

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2007 71,675 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2007 71,675 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 1 Dec 2006 67,205 miles
Fail 29 Nov 2006 67,205 miles

Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Torsion bar attachment bracket corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.E.4c)

Pass 30 Nov 2005 63,111 miles
Fail 29 Nov 2005 63,106 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

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

M974 SWY is a 1994 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 M974 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 M974 SWY?

You can check the full history of M974 SWY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M974 SWY registered?

M974 SWY is a 1994 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1994.

Is M974 SWY safe to buy?

The MOT history for M974 SWY shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M974 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 M974 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.