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T278 LAF

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 May 2027
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

200,610 mi
Last recorded200,610 miles
Recorded on26 May 2026
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationT278 LAF
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourGreen
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 26 May 2026 200,610 miles

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 15 Apr 2025 198,072 miles
Pass 10 May 2024 195,488 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2023 195,475 miles

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis by tank/exhaust areas (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis by tank (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength top of chassis/x/member areas by fuel fillter (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement h/stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement h/stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play on top of axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 4 Apr 2022 194,821 miles

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play torque arm on axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement h/stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement h/stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 31 Mar 2022 194,817 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play torque arm on axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement h/stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement h/stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 24 Mar 2021 191,660 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive x/member flanges (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive x/member flanges (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

front prop missing

Fail 18 Mar 2021 191,660 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))

Fuel system component leaking fillter area (6.1.3 (b) (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 Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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 Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure and impairing directional stability (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive x/member flanges (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive x/member flanges (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

front prop missing

Pass 31 Jan 2020 189,923 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2-3mm and cracking to tread areas (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive s/ab turret and mounting flange (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive x/member flanges by s/ab mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and cracking to tread areas (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 24 Jan 2020 189,923 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting to rear of wheel (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength s/ab turret and mounting flange (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength x/member flanges by s/ab mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis by roll bar mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive top of chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2-3mm and cracking to tread areas (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive s/ab turret and mounting flange (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive x/member flanges by s/ab mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and cracking to tread areas (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 11 Jan 2019 188,963 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))

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

Fail 7 Jan 2019 188,963 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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))

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

Pass 27 Nov 2017 184,894 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive torque arm x/member (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive torque arm mounting area (2.4.A.3)

Pass 6 Dec 2016 177,712 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2015 170,883 miles

Rear Vehicle structure slightly damaged within 30cm of towbar mounting x/member (6.6.6)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 28 Nov 2014 162,684 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

wipers dont self park

Fail 27 Nov 2014 162,684 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

wipers dont self park

Pass 22 Nov 2013 152,062 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

wiper motor noisy, no self park

Fail 22 Nov 2013 152,060 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

wiper motor noisy, no self park

Pass 30 Nov 2012 141,982 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

wipers not self parking

Fail 27 Nov 2012 141,978 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

wipers not self parking

Fail 28 Nov 2011 132,526 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 28 Nov 2011 132,526 miles

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 22 Nov 2010 123,227 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Jun 2009 109,165 miles

Offside rear tyre perished

Some play in rear anti roll bar mounting bush

Pass 25 Feb 2008 99,008 miles
Pass 5 Feb 2007 891,703 miles
Pass 30 Jan 2006 78,248 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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T278 LAF is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

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 LAF, 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 LAF?

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

What year was T278 LAF registered?

T278 LAF is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 23 July 1999.

Is T278 LAF safe to buy?

The MOT history for T278 LAF shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does T278 LAF 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 LAF. 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.