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T538 KWJ

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Nov 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

166,378 mi
Last recorded166,378 miles
Recorded on6 Nov 2025
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

RegistrationT538 KWJ
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 6 Nov 2025 166,378 miles

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

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed both sides of vehicle (7.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 30 Jan 2024 164,945 miles

Direction indicator slightly discoloured All 4 (4.4.3 (a))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed both sides of vehicle (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement panard rod bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Lower Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 23 Aug 2022 158,677 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Seat belt slightly damaged both sides webbing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced flickers (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front wiper arm reduced movement

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 28 Aug 2021 151,038 miles

Both front brake disc dirt shields

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

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

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

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

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

Steering damper mounting bush slight play

lower steering colume u/j slight play

Pass 17 Jul 2020 147,024 miles

Front Seat belt slightly damaged both sides (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 17 Jul 2020 147,024 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low both sides (4.1.2 (a))

Front Seat belt slightly damaged both sides (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Dec 2017 141,616 miles

Brake and clutch pedal rubbers wearing

Coolant low

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases flexible (7.1.2)

Front Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened All 3 (5.2.2a)

Front Steering damper damaged but serviceable rubbers worn (2.2.C.1d)

Front both sides shocker upper mounting towers corroding

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged mounting twisted (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint reservoir area (2.3.3b)

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

Offside Front wiper has reduced travel

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides upper and lower (2.7.4)

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

Fail 8 Dec 2017 141,616 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced very dim (1.7.5a)

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (3.7.E.1)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Brake and clutch pedal rubbers wearing

Coolant low

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases flexible (7.1.2)

Front Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened All 3 (5.2.2a)

Front Steering damper damaged but serviceable rubbers worn (2.2.C.1d)

Front both sides shocker upper mounting towers corroding

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged mounting twisted (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint reservoir area (2.3.3b)

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

Offside Front wiper has reduced travel

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides upper and lower (2.7.4)

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

Pass 2 Dec 2016 131,376 miles

Brake pedal rubber splitting

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases flexible all sooty (7.1.2)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

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

Rear diff oil leak

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

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

Fail 25 Nov 2016 131,357 miles

Front Steering damper damaged and unserviceable bushes worn (2.2.C.1d)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play steering box drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Front Braking system leaking load valve (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Track rod end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal rubber splitting

Coolant low

Engine oil low

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases flexible all sooty (7.1.2)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

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

Rear diff oil leak

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2015 120,999 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2014 117,598 miles

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 18 Nov 2014 117,598 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Rear diff has serious fluid leak

Pass 5 Dec 2013 115,362 miles

Rear differential leaking oil

Fail 3 Dec 2013 115,362 miles

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2) DANGEROUS

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a) DANGEROUS

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

Rear differential leaking oil

Pass 21 Dec 2012 112,221 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2012 112,221 miles

Ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 19 Dec 2011 108,685 miles

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

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)

o/s/f seat belt buckek couling missing

Fail 19 Dec 2011 108,685 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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)

Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

o/s/f seat belt buckek couling missing

Pass 4 Jan 2011 106,267 miles

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

Pass 17 Dec 2009 104,446 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2009

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

Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Oil leak

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

both front door stays loose

Pass 17 Dec 2008 99,727 miles

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

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

Pass 19 Dec 2007 87,359 miles
Fail 17 Dec 2007 87,354 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Steering damper excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 18 Dec 2006 70,028 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2006 70,028 miles

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

Pass 19 Oct 2005 51,893 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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

T538 KWJ 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 64.3%.

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 T538 KWJ, 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 T538 KWJ?

You can check the full history of T538 KWJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T538 KWJ registered?

T538 KWJ is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 July 1999.

Is T538 KWJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for T538 KWJ shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does T538 KWJ 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 T538 KWJ. 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.