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S838 EHC

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Jan 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

133,760 mi
Last recorded133,760 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2025
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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS838 EHC
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2025 133,760 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Jan 2025 132,948 miles

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

Nearside Front wing damaged

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

tcs light illuminated

wipers not parking

Fail 19 Dec 2024 132,942 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front wing damaged

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

tcs light illuminated

wipers not parking

Fail 13 Nov 2024 132,901 miles

Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush both sides (5.3.2 (c))

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength suspension arm mountings --outriggers --both sides (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm ball joint dust cover (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis --both sides (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front body and bumper damaged

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

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

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

steering damper bush worn --replace soon

underside vehicle structure corroding

Pass 22 Nov 2023 132,124 miles

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

Front steering damper bushes worn

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily cracked and perished -----REPLACE SOON (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides--EARLY REPLACEMENT ADVISED (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting both chassis rails --ADVISE EARLY REPAIR (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 14 Nov 2023 132,124 miles

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

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Front steering damper bushes worn

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily cracked and perished -----REPLACE SOON (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides--EARLY REPLACEMENT ADVISED (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting both chassis rails --ADVISE EARLY REPAIR (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 21 Nov 2022 131,395 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily perished / cracked-- replace soon (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Rear rubber bump stop missing

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated on top of axle (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting end of chassis rails --both sides (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 3 Nov 2021 130,606 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced support outriggers (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 30 Nov 2020 129,739 miles

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

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

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

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

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

front and rear out riggers corroding

Fail 2 Nov 2020 129,735 miles

Central Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced crossmember tow bracket prescribe area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside front and rear outriggers corroding

Pass 27 Jun 2019 128,057 miles

Front steering damper bushes perished

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily perished / cracking --advise early replacement (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily perished /cracking---advise early replacement (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member/ towing ball mounting has heavy corrosion (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Jun 2018 127,089 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn shockabsorber bushes wearing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively propshaft rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 20 Jun 2018 127,089 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn shockabsorber bushes wearing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively propshaft rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 15 Jun 2017 125,374 miles

BOTH REAR TYRES PERISHED

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion OUTRIGGER (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

REAR PROPSHAFT, REAR JOINT HAS PLAY

Fail 13 Jun 2017 125,373 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

BOTH REAR TYRES PERISHED

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion OUTRIGGER (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

REAR PROPSHAFT, REAR JOINT HAS PLAY

Pass 20 Jun 2016 122,355 miles

corrosion in rear crossmember

osr bump stop deteriorated

rear shock bushes perished--slight play in osr lower

rear tyres perished and cracked

Pass 25 Jun 2015 119,066 miles

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

front propshaft rear most joint worn asap

rear chassis crossmember--tow hitch mounting corroded

Fail 22 Jun 2015 119,066 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

front propshaft rear most uj joint worn

Pass 25 Jun 2014 115,504 miles

corrosion starting in rear crossmember

horn quiet

Fail 25 Jun 2014 115,504 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

corrosion starting in rear crossmember

horn quiet

Pass 21 Jun 2013 112,745 miles

rear shock lower bushes weak

steering damper bushes weak

Pass 18 Jun 2012 110,002 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2011 107,077 miles

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

temperory nsr indicator lense fitted

Fail 15 Jun 2011 107,077 miles

Direction indicator missing (1.4.A.2b)

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

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

Pass 23 Jun 2010 104,736 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2009 100,202 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2009 100,202 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Pass 12 Dec 2007 92,406 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2006 85,751 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2006 85,751 miles

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

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

Pass 19 Dec 2005 76,913 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2005 76,912 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S838 EHC is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 S838 EHC, 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 S838 EHC?

You can check the full history of S838 EHC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S838 EHC registered?

S838 EHC is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 8 January 1999.

Is S838 EHC safe to buy?

The MOT history for S838 EHC shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S838 EHC 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 S838 EHC. 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.