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S856 XDA

1999 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Jun 2027
Tests38 (21 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate55.3%

Mileage

201,914 mi
Last recorded201,914 miles
Recorded on18 Jun 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

RegistrationS856 XDA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourBlack
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

21 pass 17 fail
Pass 18 Jun 2026 201,914 miles
Fail 18 Jun 2026 201,914 miles

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

Pass 2 Apr 2025 201,795 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Wheel Arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 14 Nov 2023 201,710 miles
Fail 13 Nov 2023 201,710 miles

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 23 Sep 2022 201,699 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2022 201,699 miles

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

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

Pass 21 Jul 2021 201,480 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Jun 2021 201,479 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering under rear door (6.1.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear seat belt mounting bracket corroded

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

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

reverse lamp inop

Pass 19 Aug 2020 201,465 miles

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

Front Oil leak, but not excessive hub oil seals (8.4.1 (a) (i))

reverse lamp not working

Fail 12 Aug 2020 201,463 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Front Oil leak, but not excessive hub oil seals (8.4.1 (a) (i))

reverse lamp not working

Pass 12 Aug 2019 201,445 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 12 Aug 2019 201,445 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 26 Oct 2018 201,302 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))

Fail 20 Oct 2018 201,300 miles

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

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

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

Steering wheel spokes fractured (2.2.1 (c) (i))

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))

Pass 26 Oct 2017 200,807 miles
Fail 25 Oct 2017 200,804 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis (6.6.6)

Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis (6.6.6)

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting back panel (6.6.6)

Pass 27 Sep 2016 200,316 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2016 200,314 miles

Emissions not tested (7.4.B.1)

Exhaust system not adequately supported tail pipe (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Pass 25 Sep 2015 193,156 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2015 193,025 miles

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

Fuel system component leaking filter area (7.2.3)

Pass 4 Oct 2014 183,791 miles

265/75/R16 123/1200 M&S

FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS CORRODED.

FRONT DISCS POOR ,PADS WEARING THIN.

WIPERS AND WASHERS POOR.

Fail 1 Oct 2014 183,784 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

265/75/R16 123/1200 M&S

FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS CORRODED.

FRONT DISCS POOR ,PADS WEARING THIN.

WIPERS AND WASHERS POOR.

Pass 24 Sep 2013 174,632 miles

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

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

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

Fail 20 Sep 2013 174,623 miles

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

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

steering damper bush worn

Pass 14 Sep 2012 166,949 miles

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

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

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

Fail 7 Sep 2012 166,949 miles

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

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

Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Engine leaking oil from the Nearside

Front diff leaking oil

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

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

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

Rear propshaft rear uj worn

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Pass 23 Sep 2011 156,805 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Front Diff oil leak

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Offside Front Balljoint Gaiter Split

Steering damper bush has slight play

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Very Slight Play Rear UJ on Rear Prop

Nail in nearside front tyre

Fail 16 Sep 2011 156,805 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Inner Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Front Diff oil leak

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Offside Front Balljoint Gaiter Split

Steering damper bush has slight play

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Very Slight Play Rear UJ on Rear Prop

Nail in nearside front tyre

Pass 27 Sep 2010 144,781 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Fail 24 Sep 2010 144,762 miles

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

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 23 Sep 2009 132,188 miles

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 24 Sep 2008 120,183 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 26 Sep 2007 107,918 miles

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

o/s/f steering joint dust cover split

Fail 26 Sep 2007 107,918 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

o/s/f steering joint dust cover split

Pass 12 Sep 2006 95,096 miles
Fail 11 Sep 2006 95,096 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 19 Sep 2005 81,875 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

S856 XDA is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 38 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.3%.

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 S856 XDA, 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 S856 XDA?

You can check the full history of S856 XDA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S856 XDA registered?

S856 XDA is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is S856 XDA safe to buy?

The MOT history for S856 XDA shows 38 tests with a 55.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S856 XDA 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 S856 XDA. 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.