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T251 VBV

1999 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Nov 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

251,553 mi
Last recorded251,553 miles
Recorded on5 Nov 2025
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationT251 VBV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourGrey
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
Pass 5 Nov 2025 251,553 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2024 248,559 miles

oil leak on engine

surface corrosion under side of vehicle

Fail 24 Oct 2024 248,559 miles

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

oil leak on engine

surface corrosion under side of vehicle

Pass 4 Sep 2023 244,541 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2023 244,541 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 19 Jul 2022 241,877 miles

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

Pass 15 Sep 2020 235,895 miles
Pass 12 Sep 2019 228,806 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

evidence of welding repairs to chassis

Pass 12 Sep 2018 211,738 miles

Brake pedal anti slip provision slightly deteriorated

Front Bumper corroded with hole, and sections missing, nearside and offside

Front Nearside and offside swivel housing tracta seals leaking, but not excessive

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Leak at front axle input seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Leak at transfer gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Several brake pipes have slight corrosion in multiple locations

Steering damper rubber bushes deteriorated, but not resulting in excessive movement, nearside and offside

Fail 4 Sep 2018 211,735 miles

Central Front Lower Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Corrosion with hole in chassis cross member (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Brake pedal anti slip provision slightly deteriorated

Front Bumper corroded with hole, and sections missing, nearside and offside

Front Nearside and offside swivel housing tracta seals leaking, but not excessive

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Leak at front axle input seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Leak at transfer gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Several brake pipes have slight corrosion in multiple locations

Steering damper rubber bushes deteriorated, but not resulting in excessive movement, nearside and offside

Pass 8 Sep 2017 200,351 miles

Front bumper corroded, but not seriously weakened

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

Offside Steering damper has slight play in bush

Oil leak Slight leak at transfer gearbox ()

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Vehicle has surface corrosion to underside in various locations

Fail 15 Aug 2017 200,288 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings At chassis outrigger (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Front Bumper has corrosion with holes on inside edge.

Front Registration plate cracked in more than one area, but still secure and not likely to be misread

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

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

Offside Steering damper has slight play in bush

Oil leak At transfer box ()

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Vehicle has extensive surface corrosion to chassis and suspension components in various locations

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Pass 31 Aug 2016 187,798 miles

Layers separating on rear number plate.

Nearside front brake disc worn very thin on inner face.

Slight damage and small cuts to webbing on both front seat belts.

Slight damage on brake pipe across rear axle to nearside caliper.

Slight misting of fuel in are of fuel filter.

Slight noise noted on offside front wheel bearing.

Slight play in nearside front wheel bearing.

Small crack in centre of windscreen.

Small hole in outer edge of chassis at offside centre.

Surface corrosion on chassis at front and rear.

front number plate cracked

Fail 18 Aug 2016 187,796 miles

Ball joint has excessive play steering box drop arm ball joint lower cap and seat missing (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded holes in chassis inner face forward of steering box mounting (2.2.C.1h)

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded holes in outer edge of chassis leg forward of steering box mountings (2.2.C.1h)

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting rear cross member corroded either side of tow ball fixing (6.6.6)

Layers separating on rear number plate.

Nearside front brake disc worn very thin on inner face.

Oil leak on engine.

Screw in nearside rear tyre.

Slight damage and small cuts to webbing on both front seat belts.

Slight damage on brake pipe across rear axle to nearside caliper.

Slight misting of fuel in are of fuel filter.

Slight noise noted on offside front wheel bearing.

Slight play in nearside front wheel bearing.

Small crack in centre of windscreen.

Small hole in outer edge of chassis at offside centre.

Surface corrosion on chassis at front and rear.

front number plate cracked

Pass 12 Aug 2015 173,661 miles

Oil leak

both front brake discs worn thin.

buckle missing from rear most offside seat belt.

front bumper corroded.

front number plate cracked.

layers seperating on rear number plate.

rubber cracking in front suspension radius arm bushes at both sides.

slight coolant leak on radiator.

slight damage to webbing on both front seat belts.

slight misting of fuel and/or oil in area of fuel filter.

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing.

slight play in nearside rear shock absorber lower bushes.

slight play in rear suspension 'A' frame ball joint.

small crack in centre of windscreen.

surface corrosion on brake pipes at front and rear.

surface corrosion on chassis at rear.

Fail 12 Aug 2015 173,659 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Oil leak

both front brake discs worn thin.

buckle missing from rear most offside seat belt.

front bumper corroded.

front number plate cracked.

layers seperating on rear number plate.

rubber cracking in front suspension radius arm bushes at both sides.

slight coolant leak on radiator.

slight damage to webbing on both front seat belts.

slight misting of fuel and/or oil in area of fuel filter.

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing.

slight play in nearside rear shock absorber lower bushes.

slight play in rear suspension 'A' frame ball joint.

small crack in centre of windscreen.

surface corrosion on brake pipes at front and rear.

surface corrosion on chassis at rear.

Pass 19 Aug 2014 160,069 miles

buckle missing on offside rear most, side facing seat, seat belt.

damage to webbing on offside and nearside front seat belts.

front number plate cracked.

layers seperating on rear number plate.

small crack in centre of windscreen.

Fail 13 Aug 2014 159,843 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

buckle missing on offside rear most, side facing seat, seat belt.

damage to webbing on offside and nearside front seat belts.

front number plate cracked.

layers seperating on rear number plate.

small crack in centre of windscreen.

small holes in rear cross member.

Pass 15 Aug 2013 145,916 miles

Oil leak

corrosion on rear chassis cross member, outside prescribed area.

fine cracks in all tyres, no cords exposed.

front number plate cracked.

rear high level brake light not working.

seat belt buckle missing on offside rear most side facing seat.

slight damage to nearside and offside front seat belt webbing.

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing.

surface corrosion on chassis in various places.

Fail 14 Aug 2013 145,913 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Oil leak

corrosion on rear chassis cross member, outside prescribed area.

fine cracks in all tyres, no cords exposed.

front number plate cracked.

rear high level brake light not working.

seat belt buckle missing on offside rear most side facing seat.

slight damage to nearside and offside front seat belt webbing.

slight play in nearside front wheel bearing.

surface corrosion on chassis in various places.

Pass 15 Aug 2012 132,126 miles

Drivers seat belt slightly frayed.

Fail 15 Aug 2012 132,126 miles

Drivers seat belt slightly frayed.

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 17 Aug 2011 118,715 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2011 118,715 miles

Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 19 Aug 2010 107,302 miles
Fail 19 Aug 2010 107,302 miles

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2009 94,553 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2008 83,576 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2007 72,815 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2006 63,236 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2006 63,236 miles

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 31 Aug 2005 55,710 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2005 55,710 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

T251 VBV is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Grey 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 T251 VBV, 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 T251 VBV?

You can check the full history of T251 VBV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T251 VBV registered?

T251 VBV is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 6 August 1999.

Is T251 VBV safe to buy?

The MOT history for T251 VBV 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 T251 VBV 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 T251 VBV. 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.