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MAL 104W

1989 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Jan 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

180,960 mi
Last recorded180,960 miles
Recorded on23 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationMAL 104W
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 23 Jan 2026 180,960 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Sep 2023 178,646 miles

Coil spring corroded all (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear a frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 29 Jul 2022 177,296 miles

Central Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

all shock bushes worn

all tyres perished

surface corrosion to chassis

Pass 19 Jul 2021 175,859 miles

Central Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced out rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement a frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated a frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

all tyres perished

damp around fuel tank

Fail 19 Jul 2021 175,859 miles

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

Central Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced out rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement a frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated a frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

all tyres perished

damp around fuel tank

Pass 4 Sep 2020 174,392 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

all coil springs corroded

all tyres perished

n/s//f dub leaking oil

Fail 27 Aug 2020 174,392 miles

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Brake hydraulic reservoir close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

all coil springs corroded

all tyres perished

n/s//f dub leaking oil

Pass 12 Aug 2019 172,324 miles

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

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

n/s/f floor pan corroded

n/s/r body support corroded

Fail 12 Aug 2019 172,324 miles

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

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

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

Pass 6 Sep 2018 169,859 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2018 169,851 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))

Coolant leak ()

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jun 2017 168,067 miles

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

o/s/f out rigger corroded

o/s/r body mount corroded

Fail 7 Jun 2017 168,065 miles

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

o/s/f out rigger corroded

o/s/r body mount corroded

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Pass 8 Jun 2016 166,605 miles

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt sterring box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Panhard rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

o/s/f chassis (behind out rigger) corroded

o/s/f out rigger corroded

surface corrosion rear chassis

Fail 27 May 2016 166,604 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Front Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement hocky stick bushes (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement hocky stick bushes (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt sterring box drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Panhard rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

o/s/f chassis (behind out rigger) corroded

o/s/f out rigger corroded

surface corrosion rear chassis

Pass 5 May 2015 164,811 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Some Corrosion on offside rear to front brake pipes.

Some corrosion on body cross members

Pass 8 May 2014 162,400 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

drivers door check strap broken

Pass 15 May 2013 159,828 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Fail 14 May 2013 159,820 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 31 May 2012 156,234 miles

both front wiper blades splitting

drivers door check strap broken

offside front fog lamp insecure

some corrosion offside rear brake pipe

Fail 31 May 2012 156,234 miles

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

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

both front wiper blades splitting

drivers door check strap broken

offside front fog lamp insecure

some corrosion offside rear brake pipe

Pass 27 May 2011 152,325 miles

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

Pass 12 Jun 2009 149,412 miles

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

Oil leak

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

front number plate damaged

Pass 19 Nov 2007 146,836 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 23 Aug 2006 144,248 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Headlamp not in a clean condition but not affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Oil leak

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Steering box damaged but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Pass 17 Aug 2005 143,083 miles

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

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

offside & nearside front wiper blades splitting on ends

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

MAL 104W is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1989 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 127,912 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 MAL 104W, 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 37 years old, this Land Rover Defender is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of MAL 104W?

You can check the full history of MAL 104W by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MAL 104W registered?

MAL 104W is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 5 December 1989.

Is MAL 104W safe to buy?

The MOT history for MAL 104W shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MAL 104W 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 MAL 104W. 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.