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T566 MEC

1999 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Dec 2026
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

154,606 mi
Last recorded154,606 miles
Recorded on10 Dec 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

RegistrationT566 MEC
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourRed
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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 10 Dec 2025 154,606 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

various slight oil leaks

Fail 14 Oct 2025 154,598 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength chassis near spring mount/ fuel tank (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Steering wheel has movement relative to the column indicating looseness (2.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

rear crossmember corroded - not within a prescribed area

various slight oil leaks

Pass 24 Apr 2024 150,248 miles

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

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2023 149,023 miles

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jun 2021 147,356 miles

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jun 2021 147,356 miles

Front Headlamp aim too high both (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2020 137,023 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin on the limit . (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 3 Jun 2019 130,746 miles

BOTH FRONT TURRETS CORRODING

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier CARRIER CORRODED (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

REAR BUMP STOPS MISSING

Fail 30 May 2019 130,738 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

BOTH FRONT TURRETS CORRODING

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier CARRIER CORRODED (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

O/S/R SHOCK ABSORBER CASING CORRODED

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

REAR BUMP STOPS MISSING

Pass 29 Aug 2018 130,374 miles

FRONT SUSPENSION TURRETS CORRODING

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

REAR BUMP STOPS MISSING

Fail 23 Aug 2018 130,367 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn "C" ARM (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn "C" ARM (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

FRONT SUSPENSION TURRETS CORRODING

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

REAR BUMP STOPS MISSING

Pass 19 Apr 2017 124,232 miles

all coil springs corroding

o/s/r bump stop stop missing

Fail 7 Apr 2017 124,037 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush x2 "c" arm (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush upper & lower (2.7.4)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush x2 "c" arm (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

all coil springs corroding

o/s/r bump stop stop missing

Pass 8 Apr 2016 118,301 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2015 111,714 miles
Fail 2 Apr 2015 111,697 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Pass 12 Mar 2014 106,620 miles

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

Brake pedal anti-slip provion worn

Fuel cap difficult to open

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

Fail 10 Mar 2014 106,614 miles

Brake has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

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

Brake pedal anti-slip provion worn

Fuel cap difficult to open

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 15 Mar 2013 102,716 miles

slight oil leak n/s/f hub

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

Pass 9 Mar 2012 98,531 miles
Pass 9 Oct 2009 96,641 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2009 96,635 miles

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Pass 14 Aug 2008 92,184 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2008 92,133 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 24 Jul 2007 85,655 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2007 85,376 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

Pass 21 Aug 2006 80,332 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2006 79,227 miles

Front Headlamp aim too high (hotspot upper edge above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.D1)

Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Nearside 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 Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Rear Brake pad(s) locking device missing (3.5.1l)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

T566 MEC is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 T566 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 T566 MEC?

You can check the full history of T566 MEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was T566 MEC registered?

T566 MEC is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 March 1999.

Is T566 MEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for T566 MEC shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does T566 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 T566 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.