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T398 MEC

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Oct 2026
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

156,054 mi
Last recorded156,054 miles
Recorded on8 Oct 2025
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationT398 MEC
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

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

21 pass 7 fail
Pass 8 Oct 2025 156,054 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2024 145,202 miles

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

Pass 9 Oct 2023 139,547 miles

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

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

Pass 3 Oct 2022 137,089 miles

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 5 Jul 2022 137,081 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) incorrectly mounted securing pin insecure (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

steering damper has play in a bush

Pass 27 Jul 2021 134,621 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Parking brake lever defective but can be satisfactorily operated has long handbrake travel (1.1.6 (d))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both pipes on rear axle (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 4 Aug 2020 132,809 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both rear axle pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged mirror broken (3.3 (b) (i))

Parking brake lever defective but can be satisfactorily operated long handbrake lever travel (1.1.6 (d))

Pass 24 Jul 2019 130,900 miles

Offside Front Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ALL REAR (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 25 Jul 2018 128,791 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 23 Jul 2018 128,791 miles

Nearside Side repeater lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Registration plate lamp missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Offside Steering linkage ball joint modified such that the steering is adversely affected (2.1.3 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel to the extent that safe steering is affected (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 17 Jul 2017 122,811 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2017 122,811 miles

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

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

Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 2 Aug 2016 117,297 miles
Fail 2 Aug 2016 117,297 miles

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

Pass 30 Jul 2015 112,327 miles

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

Fail 29 Jul 2015 112,327 miles

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Ball joint has slight play at steering box (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 5 Jun 2014 105,511 miles

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

Pass 8 Aug 2013 101,739 miles

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

coolant level low

Fail 6 Aug 2013 101,739 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

coolant level low

Pass 30 Jul 2012 94,752 miles

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

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

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

propshaft splines and hardy spicer at rear axle worn

wiper blades do not park automatically

Fail 27 Jul 2012 94,752 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

propshaft splines and hardy spicer at rear axle worn

wiper blades do not park automatically

Pass 1 Aug 2011 85,200 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2011 84,803 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2010 77,405 miles
Pass 6 Mar 2009 68,138 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2008 60,949 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2007 53,030 miles
Pass 2 Mar 2006 45,410 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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T398 MEC is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 T398 MEC, 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 T398 MEC?

You can check the full history of T398 MEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T398 MEC registered?

T398 MEC is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 5 March 1999.

Is T398 MEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for T398 MEC shows 28 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does T398 MEC 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 T398 MEC. 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.