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R897 VJW

1997 Land Rover Discovery

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 Apr 2026
Tests22 (13 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate59.1%

Mileage

97,663 mi
Last recorded97,663 miles
Recorded on22 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Discovery124,978 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR897 VJW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDiscovery
Year1997
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

13 pass 9 fail
Fail 22 May 2026 97,663 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Body mounting fixings insecure (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear body mounting bolt daamaged

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

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

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

front anti roll bar d bushes contaminated with oil

rear prop shaft bush worn

various engine oil leaks

Pass 11 Apr 2025 94,616 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced (6.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged outer case missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive slight oil leak from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear prop shaft donut cracking and splitting

Fail 11 Apr 2025 94,577 miles

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced (6.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged outer case missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive slight oil leak from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear prop shaft donut cracking and splitting

Pass 18 Apr 2024 81,679 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle slightly damaged Outer case missing. (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

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

Fail 8 Apr 2019 81,582 miles

Central Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting nearside (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Central Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting offside (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

nearside front & offside front hub seals leaking

rear cross member corroded

Pass 10 Apr 2018 79,678 miles

Both sides front hub seals are leaking slightly

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (centre-rear) (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Offside Body has slight corrosion (centre-rear) (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak

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

Rear cross member corroded

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Fail 19 Mar 2018 79,668 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

Offside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

offside wiper blade split

Both sides front Hub seals are leaking slightly

Nearside Body has slight corrosion centre/rear (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Offside Body has slight corrosion centre/rear (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 6 Mar 2017 78,080 miles

Nearside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Pass 25 Feb 2016 75,512 miles

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

Pass 25 Feb 2015 73,834 miles

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

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

battery not clamped down

repairs to ns and os outriggers

slight corrosion through out vehicle chassis

slight corrosion throughout vehicle underbody

slight corrosion to front brake pipes

slight oil contamintion to osf hub

Pass 18 Mar 2014 71,865 miles

Battery slightly insecure

Front brake discs slightly worn / corroded

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Poor welding repair O/S Inner sill member

Fail 4 Mar 2014 71,782 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

Offside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

Oil leak

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

rear exhaust deteriated

slight power steering fluid leak

Pass 26 Feb 2013 69,482 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2012 67,425 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2011 62,177 miles

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

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

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

corrosion on the n/s and o/s sills

engine oil leak

front and rear coil springs corroded

front and rear disc corroded

n/s/f diff/axel seal leaking not contaminating the brakes yet

n/s/r and o/s/r shockabsorber top rubbers deteriorated slightly resulting in slight movement

Fail 17 Mar 2011 62,118 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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

corrosion on the n/s and o/s sills

engine oil leak

front and rear coil springs corroded

front and rear disc corroded

n/s/f diff/axel seal leaking not contaminating the brakes yet

n/s/r and o/s/r shockabsorber top rubbers deteriorated slightly resulting in slight movement

rear solid brake pipe corroded

rear suspension bump stops missing

strong smell of diesel no leaks found

Pass 23 Mar 2010 59,106 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2010 59,105 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 8 Oct 2007 51,954 miles

Battery insecure

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

near side front tyre tread getting low

off side and near side body sills holed and corroded

Fail 4 Oct 2007 51,954 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

Battery insecure

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

near side front tyre tread getting low

off side and near side body sills holed and corroded

Pass 29 Sep 2006 46,583 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2006 46,583 miles

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incomplete (1.5.A1b)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

How Reliable is the Land Rover Discovery?

Based on 4,388,972 MOT tests across 325,470 vehicles.

72.7%
Pass Rate
6,904
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
325,470
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 153,632
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 141,712
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 136,366
position lamp(s) not working 91,214
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 88,089
Full Land Rover Discovery 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.

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R897 VJW is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.1%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Discovery models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.7% with a typical mileage of 124,978 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 Discovery fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 153,632 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R897 VJW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Discovery typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 29 years old, this Land Rover Discovery is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R897 VJW?

You can check the full history of R897 VJW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R897 VJW registered?

R897 VJW is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery, first registered on 26 August 1997.

Is R897 VJW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R897 VJW shows 22 tests with a 59.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R897 VJW 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 R897 VJW. 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.