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R81 LAM

1999 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Apr 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

137,104 mi
Last recorded137,104 miles
Recorded on15 Apr 2026
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR81 LAM
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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 11 fail
Pass 15 Apr 2026 137,104 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2025 128,388 miles
Pass 5 Feb 2024 119,494 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2023 114,000 miles

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 25 Jan 2023 113,848 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Rear Direction indicator light intensity significantly reduced (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Front seat lock mechanism is worn

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 3 Feb 2022 107,552 miles

corrosion on front to rear brake pipe

dampness around front diff

drivers door card insecure

Fail 3 Feb 2022 107,552 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play wheel bearing / hub area (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged cut in seat belt (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play wheel bearing / hub area (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm from box (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

corrosion on front to rear brake pipe

dampness around front diff

drivers door card insecure

Pass 22 Jan 2021 96,039 miles

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

Fail 21 Jan 2021 96,039 miles

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements (4.2.2 (a))

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

Pass 6 Jan 2020 82,983 miles

Front prop front uj worn

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

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

Nearside Front 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 Rear tyre cracked/perished

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 11 Oct 2019 80,110 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn diff link arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Upper 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 Rear tyre perished

Pass 13 Nov 2018 67,315 miles

Front Wheel bearing has slight play nearside and offside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 12 Nov 2018 67,314 miles

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear Valve stem seriously misaligned (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

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

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel to the extent that safe steering is affected (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Wheel bearing has slight play nearside and offside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 18 Oct 2017 64,758 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre slight perishing

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slight perishing

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

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

Fail 17 Oct 2017 64,758 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

Steering arm deformed and unserviceable Front track control arm (2.2.C.1d)

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slight perishing

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slight perishing

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

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

Fail 3 Aug 2017 64,745 miles

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

Nearside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

Offside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

Offside Front Inner brake disc contaminated by grease (3.5.1h) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal leaking grease and fluid (2.3.3b) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside front tyre perishing

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

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

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside front tyre perishing

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

front number plate in the windscreen, still visible from a reasonable distance

Pass 16 Aug 2016 63,115 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2015 62,547 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

front hub seals leaking

Fail 31 May 2014 62,526 miles

All four tyres starting to perish

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 31 May 2014 62,526 miles

All four tyres starting to perish

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 4 Jun 2013 60,711 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 19 May 2012 58,445 miles

Front number plate damaged

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

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

Nearside front tyre perished

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

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

Offside rear tyre perished

Fail 15 May 2012 58,411 miles

Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

Front number plate damaged

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

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

Nearside front tyre perished

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

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

Offside rear tyre perished

Pass 10 May 2011 55,711 miles

Front and rear tyres starting to perish

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 May 2010 52,779 miles

Front Lower Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Front Upper Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 6 May 2009 50,010 miles

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

Fail 5 May 2009 49,996 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 8 May 2008 47,079 miles

front discs thin

Fail 7 May 2008 47,079 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 5 Apr 2007 42,967 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2006 41,246 miles

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

R81 LAM is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1999 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.6% with a typical mileage of 106,873 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 R81 LAM, 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 27 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 R81 LAM?

You can check the full history of R81 LAM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R81 LAM registered?

R81 LAM is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is R81 LAM safe to buy?

The MOT history for R81 LAM shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R81 LAM 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 R81 LAM. 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.