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S54 VAT

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Feb 2027
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

228,450 mi
Last recorded228,450 miles
Recorded on10 Feb 2026
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

RegistrationS54 VAT
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

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 10 Feb 2026 228,450 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 10 Feb 2026 228,450 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 27 Nov 2024 222,258 miles

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

General underside rust

Pass 9 Jan 2023 217,358 miles

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

general corrosion underneath all over

Pass 11 Jan 2022 198,021 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 18 Jan 2021 175,891 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2021 17,589 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Fail 4 Jan 2021 175,844 miles

Central Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn rear uj has excessive play (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn rear uj has excessive play (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Driver's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Driver's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front front exhaust mount missing from chassis

Offside Rear reflector broken

Pass 18 Jun 2019 175,651 miles
Fail 29 May 2019 175,651 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 20 Feb 2018 164,131 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2018 164,131 miles

Brake performance not tested front brakes leaking (3.7.A.1)

Nearside Front Outer brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 27 Feb 2017 157,275 miles

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

Steering damper modified, but not inappropriately (2.2.C.1e)

Fail 20 Feb 2017 157,253 miles

Front Headlamp aim too high both sides (1.8)

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

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

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

Steering damper modified, but not inappropriately (2.2.C.1e)

Pass 2 Feb 2016 157,129 miles

Offside Front steering damping bolt/bush slight play

Fail 27 Jan 2016 157,126 miles

Offside Front Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Pass 29 Jan 2015 156,076 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2013 155,228 miles

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

Pass 10 Dec 2012 154,389 miles

both front swivel joints leaking

underbody corrosion

Fail 7 Dec 2012 154,389 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

both front swivel joints leaking

underbody corrosion

Pass 10 Dec 2010 149,325 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2010 149,325 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside inner track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 11 Dec 2009 143,557 miles

front axle oil seals leaking slightly

oil leak from engine

Fail 11 Dec 2009 143,557 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

front axle oil seals leaking slightly

oil leak from engine

Pass 2 Jan 2009 136,895 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

corrosion to exhaust in places

slight play in offside front hub

various oil leaks

Pass 21 Dec 2007 130,177 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 23 Dec 2006 122,159 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2006 122,159 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

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

both rear tyres low on tread

structurial deterioation to both rear tyres

Pass 28 Dec 2005

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.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.

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S54 VAT is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

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 S54 VAT, 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 S54 VAT?

You can check the full history of S54 VAT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S54 VAT registered?

S54 VAT is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 8 January 1999.

Is S54 VAT safe to buy?

The MOT history for S54 VAT shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S54 VAT 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 S54 VAT. 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.