CarVerify

Free Car Check

V781 KCV

1999 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Jun 2027
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

176,560 mi
Last recorded176,560 miles
Recorded on20 May 2026
Typical for 1999 Land Rover Defender106,873 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationV781 KCV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1999
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

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 8 fail
Pass 20 May 2026 176,560 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 27 May 2025 173,037 miles

Nearside Front Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

centre body mounts corroded nearside and offside

play in steering arm from steering box has play and just a pass

Fail 19 May 2025 172,974 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up (5.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

centre body mounts corroded nearside and offside

play in steering arm from steering box has play and just a pass

Pass 22 May 2024 169,586 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

Fail 20 May 2024 169,578 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

Pass 25 May 2023 165,975 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 18 May 2023 165,886 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Track rod end ball joint has excessive play pitman arm from steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Pass 17 May 2022 161,372 miles

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

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

both front tractor spheres weeping

Pass 15 Jun 2021 158,460 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2021 158,358 miles

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

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated yoke ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Jun 2020 151,177 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective hanger broken system still secure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 6 Jun 2019 146,120 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 17 May 2018 142,464 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded both sides (3.6.B.2c)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Oil leak

Pass 17 May 2017 139,317 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 8 Jun 2016 137,797 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Fail 2 Jun 2016 137,759 miles

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

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

Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 27 May 2015 135,659 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Pass 2 Apr 2014 131,374 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

rear step bent

Fail 31 Mar 2014 131,374 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3) DANGEROUS

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

oil level low ok to test emmissions

rear step bent

Pass 5 Oct 2012 125,835 miles

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

insecure wiring in engine bay

rear step bent

steering damper bushes worn

Fail 3 Oct 2012 125,833 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

drag link rubbing on engine sheild

insecure wiring in engine bay

rear step bent

steering damper bushes worn

Pass 14 Oct 2011 120,013 miles

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 13 Oct 2011 120,013 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means (7.2.4b)

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 6 Oct 2010 113,312 miles
Pass 15 Oct 2009 106,842 miles

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

both front tyres out of shape and close to legal limit

tow pin shackle design has a lot of play at ball

offside tractor joint leaking

Pass 24 Nov 2006 80,252 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2006 78,342 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

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

V781 KCV is a 1999 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

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 V781 KCV, 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 V781 KCV?

You can check the full history of V781 KCV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was V781 KCV registered?

V781 KCV is a 1999 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 23 December 1999.

Is V781 KCV safe to buy?

The MOT history for V781 KCV shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does V781 KCV 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 V781 KCV. 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.