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S978 BDP

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Dec 2026
Tests25 (15 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

152,437 mi
Last recorded152,437 miles
Recorded on25 Nov 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

RegistrationS978 BDP
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

15 pass 10 fail
Pass 25 Nov 2025 152,437 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Dec 2024 149,777 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2024 149,777 miles

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

Pass 20 Dec 2023 146,371 miles
Fail 13 Jan 2023 146,301 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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 Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 5 Jan 2022 142,595 miles

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 22 Nov 2021 142,595 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Intermediate drop arm likely to become detached (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 3 Dec 2020 139,050 miles

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

Fail 13 Nov 2020 139,050 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 20 Nov 2019 137,540 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Nov 2019 137,540 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

Pass 21 Nov 2018 134,881 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 8 Nov 2018 134,881 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 7 Nov 2017 131,933 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2017 131,933 miles

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

Front Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

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

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2016 129,060 miles

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

Oil leak ()

Fail 26 Oct 2016 129,060 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 5 Nov 2015 125,026 miles

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has slight play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Fail 3 Nov 2015 125,026 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2014 117,167 miles

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

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

Fail 26 Jul 2014 117,167 miles

Brake has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod locating pin insecure (2.4.G.3a)

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

rear prop u/j worn

Pass 21 Aug 2013 110,772 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 17 Aug 2012 98,215 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 30 Aug 2011 89,687 miles
Pass 24 Aug 2010 83,131 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Oil leak

n/s and o/s front axel swivel joint seals slight weep of grease

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

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S978 BDP is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 S978 BDP, 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 S978 BDP?

You can check the full history of S978 BDP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S978 BDP registered?

S978 BDP is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is S978 BDP safe to buy?

The MOT history for S978 BDP shows 25 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S978 BDP 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 S978 BDP. 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.