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T478 LRL

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Sep 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

276,149 mi
Last recorded276,149 miles
Recorded on7 Sep 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

RegistrationT478 LRL
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 7 Sep 2026 276,149 miles
Pass 21 Aug 2025 270,244 miles

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

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

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

Fail 21 Aug 2025 270,244 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2024 260,701 miles

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 6 Sep 2024 260,699 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fuel tank insecure Cradle corroded (6.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 31 Aug 2023 255,689 miles

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

Fail 31 Aug 2023 255,689 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Sep 2022 248,970 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Sep 2021 240,555 miles

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

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

Offside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Fail 2 Sep 2021 240,555 miles

Fuel pipe leaking Above fuel filter housing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm ball joint boot (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Sep 2019 237,579 miles

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

Fail 27 Sep 2019 237,579 miles

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 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))

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

Pass 2 Oct 2018 232,233 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged Plastic cover missing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 2 Oct 2018 232,233 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged Plastic cover missing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 3 Oct 2017 225,787 miles

Front Oil leak Engine oil leak

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load Plastic cover is missing (5.2.4a)

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

Fail 3 Oct 2017 225,787 miles

Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Front Oil leak Engine oil leak

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load Plastic cover is missing (5.2.4a)

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

Pass 9 Sep 2016 217,485 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load Cover on end (5.2.4a)

Fail 9 Sep 2016 217,484 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load Cover on end (5.2.4a)

Pass 28 Sep 2015 209,728 miles

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

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

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

Fail 28 Sep 2015 209,728 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete (3.3.A.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 7 Oct 2014 203,743 miles

Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Pass 14 Aug 2013 195,558 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

nearside rear door check strap missing

nearside rear lap belt buckle adjustment mechanism siezed

Pass 19 Jul 2012 175,212 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

front centre seat belt buckle damaged but no seat fitted

osr rear reflector slightly damaged

Pass 12 Aug 2011 156,329 miles

Both rear drive flanges are slightly worn

Front number plate is cracked

Near side front door hinges are worn

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Radiator fan cowl is missing

Vehicle is very smokey. Has passed the smoke test.

Fail 11 Aug 2011 156,329 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

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

Offside Front Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

A frame ball joint is worn

Both rear drive flanges are slightly worn

Chip in windscreen in front of steering wheel

Front number plate is cracked

Near side front door hinges are worn

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Radiator fan cowl is missing

Rear discs are worn and have scoring from pads wearing down to steel

Vehicle is very smokey. Has passed the smoke test.

Pass 11 Aug 2010 135,470 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

brake pedal rubber worn

Fail 9 Aug 2010 135,646 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

brake pedal rubber worn

Pass 24 Jul 2009 126,440 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly chafed (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.2b)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.2b)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Slight play detected in drivetrain

Slight play in A-frame ball joint

Tail door has corrosion around frame

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Pass 11 Jul 2008 105,291 miles

Forte fuel flush added to vehicle to lower smoke and emission levels.

Fail 7 Jul 2008 105,284 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Pass 27 Apr 2007 86,502 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2007 86,502 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Steering box damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Both rear seats have slight play in upright posistion

Handbrake ratchet has slight sidewards movment

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Steering damper bushes(both ends) have slight movement

Pass 3 Mar 2006 73,048 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.2b)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

T478 LRL is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green 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 T478 LRL, 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 T478 LRL?

You can check the full history of T478 LRL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T478 LRL registered?

T478 LRL is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 July 1999.

Is T478 LRL safe to buy?

The MOT history for T478 LRL 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 T478 LRL 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 T478 LRL. 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.