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S285 RAV

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 Aug 2026
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

236,565 mi
Last recorded236,565 miles
Recorded on14 Aug 2025
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS285 RAV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
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

19 pass 14 fail
Pass 14 Aug 2025 236,565 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2024 230,764 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Fuel hose chafing In wheel arch on chassis rail (6.1.3 (c) (i))

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

Rear exhaust flange corroded

Fail 5 Jul 2024 230,764 miles

Front Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Fuel hose chafing In wheel arch on chassis rail (6.1.3 (c) (i))

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

Rear exhaust flange corroded

Pass 7 Jul 2023 225,631 miles

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

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))

Rear exhaust flange corroded

Fail 24 Jun 2023 225,631 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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))

Rear exhaust flange corroded

Fail 7 Jun 2023 225,631 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear axle bump stop missing

Nearside Rear axle tie bar bolt loose

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

Offside Front axle swivel ball/ housing leaking

Offside Rear axle bump stop missing

Offside Rear axle tie bar bolt loose

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

Rear tail pipe flange corroded

Pass 20 Jun 2022 219,025 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear suspension bump stop missing

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear suspension bump stop missing

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

plastic covers missing o/s/r and centre rear seat belt

Fail 17 Jun 2022 219,025 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear suspension bump stop missing

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear suspension bump stop missing

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

plastic covers missing o/s/r and centre rear seat belt

Fail 27 May 2022 218,188 miles

Front Driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen significantly affected by an obstruction phone cradle stuck to centre of windscreen (3.1 (a) (ii))

Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible led light units fitted and incorrect beam patterns (4.1.4 (c))

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

Nearside Front Lower Brake prescribed area is excessively damaged bulkhead holed (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn tie bar front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body component damaged and likely to cause injury side step corroded through (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn tie bar front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust system insecure mounting insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. rear second row seats insecure (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible obscured by ladder (0.1 (b))

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

Rear bump stops missing

Pass 9 Apr 2021 207,896 miles
Fail 14 Dec 2020 207,879 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Front Windscreen damaged and affecting the driver's view of the road (3.2 (a) (ii))

Fuel tank insecure Tank strap corroded (6.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint 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 Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 6 Dec 2019 202,899 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2018 194,636 miles
Pass 16 Dec 2017 183,466 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

centre body cross member corroded

general chassis corrosion

Fail 16 Dec 2017 183,466 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

centre body cross member corroded

general chassis corrosion

Pass 14 Dec 2016 174,284 miles

chassis coroded

engine oil leak

slight leak o/s/f swivel

Pass 18 Dec 2015 163,063 miles

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

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

rear door corroded supporting spare wheel

rear floor box section,seat belt anchorages corroded

Fail 11 Dec 2015 162,841 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped flex and steel pipe insecure (3.6.B.1)

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

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

rear door corroded supporting spare wheel

rear floor box section,seat belt anchorages corroded

Pass 22 Dec 2014 156,491 miles

Engine oil level low

Fuel pipe joiner-tube sweating at offside rear chassis

Slight play in nearside rear wheel bearing

Some brake pipe corrosion- eg. nearside front

Some wear in nearside rear shock absorber top bush

Steering box arm gaiter split and nearside track rod-end gaiter

Unabe to check rear-most seat belts due to cargo

Pass 17 Dec 2013 151,194 miles

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

general chassis corroded

rear crossmember corroded towbar removed at time of test

unable to check rearmost seatbelts back full of boxes at time of test

Pass 20 Dec 2012 144,371 miles

Nearside rear suspension damper (shock absorber) top bush has wear/clearance

Play in steering damper offside bush

Rear fog light requires two switch operations to make it work

Slight deterioration of offside rear-view mirror

Some brake pipe/s corrosion

Various areas of body/under-body corrosion (inc. holes)

Fail 20 Dec 2012 144,368 miles

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

Centre Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

Position lamp switch insecure (1.1.A.1)

Front brake pad/s wearing low. Rears similar

Nearside rear suspension damper (shock absorber) top bush has wear/clearance

Play in steering damper offside bush

Rear fog light requires two switch operations to make it work

Slight deterioration of offside rear-view mirror

Some brake pipe/s corrosion

Unable to fully view all brakes for wear

Various areas of body/under-body corrosion (inc. holes)

Pass 14 Dec 2011 140,368 miles

Rear axle top joint has slight play and lift

Slight damage to front number plate

Fail 13 Dec 2011 140,367 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Rear axle top joint has slight play and lift

Slight damage to front number plate

Pass 24 Dec 2010 133,726 miles
Fail 23 Dec 2010 133,726 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Unable to test all rear seat belts due to vehicle loaded

Pass 23 Dec 2009 126,719 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2009 126,651 miles

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Fail 23 Dec 2008 114,379 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Position lamp switch faulty (1.1.A.1)

o/s/front seat belt slow to retract

slight leak on o/s/front swivel

Pass 23 Dec 2008 114,379 miles

o/s/front seat belt slow to retract

slight leak on o/s/front swivel

Pass 17 May 2007 96,559 miles

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

n/s/f mirror glass is cracked

Fail 15 May 2007 965,450 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

n/s/f mirror glass is cracked

Pass 24 Mar 2006 91,164 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

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

S285 RAV is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

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 S285 RAV, 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 S285 RAV?

You can check the full history of S285 RAV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S285 RAV registered?

S285 RAV is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 26 January 1999.

Is S285 RAV safe to buy?

The MOT history for S285 RAV shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S285 RAV 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 S285 RAV. 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.