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W979 AOA

2000 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Sep 2026
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

252,541 mi
Last recorded252,541 miles
Recorded on4 Sep 2025
Typical for 2000 Land Rover Defender100,520 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationW979 AOA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2000
ColourBlue
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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 4 Sep 2025 252,541 miles

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

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2024 186,340 miles

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

Fail 22 Aug 2024

Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 22 Aug 2024

Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

Pass 25 Sep 2023 238,982 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Sep 2022 226,099 miles

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security all 4 (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Body component slightly loose (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 23 Sep 2021 214,307 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering box slight movement (2.1.1 (d) (i))

Pass 16 Sep 2020 207,776 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A frame ball joint boot (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear chassis corroded but not within prescribed area

Offside Rear chassis corroded but not in prescribed area

slight play in upper steering column uj

Fail 14 Sep 2020 206,776 miles

Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn radius arm bushs (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn radius arm bushs (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A frame ball joint boot (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear chassis corroded but not within prescribed area

Offside Rear chassis corroded but not in prescribed area

slight play in upper steering column uj

Pass 24 Sep 2019 205,749 miles

All tow bar components removed at time of retest/tow bar electrics out of use.

Fuel filter and housing mounted/secured with zip ties

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

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

Offside Centre outrigger excessively corroded and holed just outside any prescribed areas

Offside Front Outrigger excessively corroded and holed just outside any prescribed areas

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated 'A' frame ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear chassis excessively corroded

Rear cross member excessively corroded and holed

Reverse light inoperative

Fail 17 Sep 2019 205,749 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamp incorrectly fitted (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Chassis (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Outrigger(on the chassis) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Position lamp switch insecure (4.2.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush insecure Steering swivel joint (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached Chassis (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fuel filter and housing mounted/secured with zip ties

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

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

Offside Centre outrigger excessively corroded and holed just outside any prescribed areas

Offside Front Outrigger excessively corroded and holed just outside any prescribed areas

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated 'A' frame ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear cross member excessively corroded and holed

Reverse light inoperative

Pass 6 Sep 2018 203,939 miles

'A' frame ball joint dust cover slightly deteriorated

Engine oil leak

Indicator switch insecure (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Main beam flash inoperative

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

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

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

Offside Rear Chassis and inner cross member corroded and holed

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

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test ()

Fail 6 Sep 2018 203,939 miles

Brake performance not tested Brake test aborted due to burst pipe (1.2.1 (g))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn Both trailing arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

'A' frame ball joint dust cover slightly deteriorated

All hazards inoperative

Engine oil leak

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Indicator switch insecure (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Main beam flash inoperative

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

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

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

Offside Rear Chassis and inner cross member corroded and holed

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

Pass 22 Sep 2017 202,815 miles

extensive surface corrosion on chassis, vehicle appears to have been standing for some time

Pass 23 Oct 2014 201,652 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2013 193,690 miles

General corrosion to underside of vehicle.

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

Fail 21 Oct 2013 193,689 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

General corrosion to underside of vehicle.

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

Pass 6 Oct 2012 184,459 miles

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

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

Fail 2 Oct 2012 184,457 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

Steering wheel in a condition that hampers proper control (2.1.1)

Steering wheel retaining device insecure (2.1.6)

Engine oil leak.

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

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

Pass 15 Oct 2011 178,743 miles

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

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

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Pass 28 Sep 2010 165,467 miles

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

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

Offside Inner Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

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

Pass 6 Sep 2009 148,898 miles

The rear axle offside metal brake pipe has some corrosion present.

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

offside rear suspension bump stop missing.

power steering reservior had been overfilled & had weeped from the cap breather.

several engine oil weeps present, including engine breather weeping.

the front to rear metal brake pipe has some corrosion near rear, where pipe stops running above the chassis & drops. cleaned, inspected & waxoil coated following inspection.

the offside front metal brake pipe near flexible hose joint inside wing has some corrosion present.

the rear brake pads appear to be wearing low.

Pass 2 Sep 2008 137,033 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

O/S/R bump stop missing

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside inner track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

Pass 16 Feb 2007 116,288 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Feb 2006 99,528 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 10 Feb 2006 99,528 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

W979 AOA is a 2000 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 2000 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.6% with a typical mileage of 100,520 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 W979 AOA, 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 26 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 W979 AOA?

You can check the full history of W979 AOA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was W979 AOA registered?

W979 AOA is a 2000 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 17 March 2000.

Is W979 AOA safe to buy?

The MOT history for W979 AOA shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does W979 AOA 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 W979 AOA. 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.