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T278 APO

1999 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Feb 2027
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

187,331 mi
Last recorded187,331 miles
Recorded on26 Feb 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

RegistrationT278 APO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourWhite
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 14 fail
Pass 26 Feb 2026 187,331 miles

CHASSIS POOR CONDITION

Fail 9 Jan 2026 187,322 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Central Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting NEAR SIDE (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Front Prop shaft securing bolt loose OF REAR PROP (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system (1.1.11 (b) (i))

Offside CENTRAL OUTRIGGER CORRODED TO EXCESS

Offside Rear SUSPENSION MOUNTING CORRODED TO EXCESS

Rear AXLE ANTIROLL BRACKETS CORRODED TO EXCESS

Rear AXLESPRING MOUNTINGS CORRODED TO EXCESS

Rear FLEX BRAKE HOSE NOT SECURED PROPERLY

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced ALL CHASSIE (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 10 May 2024 187,017 miles

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

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive Steering fluid leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 3 May 2024 187,009 miles

Central Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn Front prop rear uj (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Chassis holed (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Outrigger holed (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive Steering fluid leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 14 Feb 2023 186,495 miles
Fail 14 Feb 2023 186,491 miles

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

Pass 26 Oct 2021 185,673 miles

both rear backing plates corroded

steering box leaking

Pass 29 Sep 2020 184,821 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2020 184,821 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Aug 2019 183,733 miles

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

both front shock absorber turrets corroded

Fail 28 Aug 2019 183,733 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring insecure (5.3.1 (a) (i))

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

both front shock absorber turrets corroded

Pass 13 Aug 2018 182,631 miles

advise body corroded around cab

advise chassis corroded around the rear cross member

Fail 11 Aug 2018 182,631 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

advise body corroded around cab

advise chassis corroded around the rear cross member

Pass 29 Jun 2017 177,105 miles

Offside Front Upper Driver's door pillar deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed corroded around top door hinge pillar (6.2.B.2)

Pass 8 Jul 2016 166,928 miles

Front bulkhead rusty

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Rear rear of chassis corroded

Fail 30 Jun 2016 166,896 miles

Centre Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded x member corroded (mount for axel mount arm) (2.4.A.3)

Centre Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded x member which is fuel tank mount (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure link arm loose (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded anti roll bar mount (2.4.A.3)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front bulkhead rusty

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Rear rear of chassis corroded

Pass 10 Jul 2015 161,071 miles
Fail 18 Jun 2015 160,940 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 7 Jul 2014 155,457 miles

rear cross member corroded

Fail 7 Jul 2014 155,457 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

rear cross member corroded

Pass 19 Jul 2013 147,511 miles

front propshaft rear joint badly worn

Fail 9 Jul 2013 147,511 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

front propshaft rear joint badly worn

Pass 11 Jul 2012 139,280 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2012 138,612 miles

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 29 Jun 2011 131,178 miles

rear axle top a frame bolts look as though have loose and moving

Fail 24 Jun 2011 131,165 miles

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

rear axle top a frame bolts look as though have loose and moving

Pass 21 Jun 2010 126,231 miles

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

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

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

Fail 10 Jun 2010 126,144 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Rear Registration plate lamp not fitted (1.1.C.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2009 121,635 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2009 121,634 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Inner Front Lower Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c) DANGEROUS

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

Front Steering arm deformed but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

pas pump very noisey but no leaks or bearing play

Pass 3 Jul 2008 115,669 miles
Pass 10 Jan 2008 114,395 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 10 Jan 2007 108,367 miles

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 8 Feb 2006 101,392 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.

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T278 APO is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

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 T278 APO, 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 T278 APO?

You can check the full history of T278 APO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T278 APO registered?

T278 APO is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 May 1999.

Is T278 APO safe to buy?

The MOT history for T278 APO shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does T278 APO 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 T278 APO. 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.