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T197 VYA

1999 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 Dec 2025
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

134,130 mi
Last recorded134,130 miles
Recorded on11 Dec 2025
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationT197 VYA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,500cc

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 13 fail
Fail 11 Dec 2025 134,130 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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 20 Dec 2024 130,402 miles

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Dec 2024 130,380 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2023 127,838 miles

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

Pass 12 Dec 2022 123,916 miles
Pass 17 Dec 2021 121,730 miles

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

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

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

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

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

underside of vehicle showing signs of corrosion

Pass 26 Oct 2020 118,396 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2020 118,395 miles

Fuel tank insecure fuel tank holder corroded and braking away (6.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Drag link 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 Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn hockey stick bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Outer Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside 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))

Offside Drag link end 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 Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn hockey stick bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside gearbox mount split apart

Pass 30 Apr 2019 113,737 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 29 Apr 2019 113,735 miles

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

Nearside 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))

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

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

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

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

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 4 May 2018 110,293 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Fail 27 Apr 2018 110,121 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 25 Apr 2017 106,321 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement hockey stick x2 (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement hockey stick x2 (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear tyre perished

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 25 Apr 2017 106,321 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement hockey stick x2 (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement hockey stick x2 (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear tyre perished

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 29 Apr 2016 102,498 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

Fail 29 Apr 2016 102,498 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 Apr 2015 98,731 miles
Pass 30 Apr 2014 94,367 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2013 89,656 miles
Fail 24 Apr 2013 896,560 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 1 May 2012 853,415 miles

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 27 Apr 2011 81,275 miles

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

Pass 27 Apr 2011 81,275 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2010 77,262 miles

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 27 Apr 2010 77,262 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2009 72,732 miles
Fail 29 Apr 2009 72,732 miles

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

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

Pass 1 May 2008 68,526 miles
Pass 1 May 2007 63,688 miles

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

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

Fail 1 May 2007 63,688 miles

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

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

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

Fail 19 Dec 2006 62,058 miles

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

Pass 19 Dec 2006 62,058 miles
Pass 15 Dec 2005 56,801 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

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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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T197 VYA is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 T197 VYA, 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 T197 VYA?

You can check the full history of T197 VYA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T197 VYA registered?

T197 VYA is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 29 April 1999.

Is T197 VYA safe to buy?

The MOT history for T197 VYA shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does T197 VYA 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 T197 VYA. 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.