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W981 SPD

2000 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jun 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

158,160 mi
Last recorded158,160 miles
Recorded on2 Jun 2026
Typical for 2000 Land Rover Defender100,520 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationW981 SPD
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2000
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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 2 Jun 2026 158,160 miles

Drag link bar bent (rear)

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

rear upper diff locating joint boot split

Pass 19 May 2025 153,235 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2024 152,789 miles

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

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside from hoses to calipers (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside to flexy hoses (1.1.11 (c))

Front Coil spring corroded offside and nearside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber tower (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn king pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box-drop arm seal (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play offside and nearside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Seat belt slightly damaged offside and nearside (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fail 3 Jun 2024 152,747 miles

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

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

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside from hoses to calipers (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside to flexy hoses (1.1.11 (c))

Front Coil spring corroded offside and nearside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber tower (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn king pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box-drop arm seal (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play offside and nearside (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Seat belt slightly damaged offside and nearside (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Jun 2023 151,891 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2022 150,463 miles

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

Nearside Front bumper end missing

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

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

Rear service brake effort low both sides

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

oil leak =engine

Fail 23 May 2022 150,459 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outrigger to trailing arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outrigger to trailing arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement hockey stick=both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front bumper end missing

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement hockey stick=both bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear service brake effort low both sides

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

oil leak =engine

Pass 30 Mar 2021 150,089 miles
Fail 18 Mar 2021 150,087 miles

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases pipe broken in two (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember holed both sides (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Driver's door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed (6.2.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 17 Apr 2019 143,956 miles
Pass 26 Feb 2018 138,479 miles
Pass 17 Feb 2017 132,971 miles

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

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

number plate light dim

Pass 26 Feb 2016 126,217 miles

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror deteriorated, but not seriously affecting the rear view door (8.1.2a)

Fail 26 Feb 2016 126,217 miles

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror deteriorated, but not seriously affecting the rear view door (8.1.2a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 20 Feb 2015 119,753 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Feb 2015 119,750 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

Pass 12 Feb 2014 113,793 miles

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

horn not very loud

Pass 27 Feb 2013 108,970 miles

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

Fail 27 Feb 2013 108,970 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 22 Feb 2012 103,545 miles

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)

Pass 24 Feb 2011 98,797 miles

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 18 Feb 2010 93,802 miles

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

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 19 Feb 2009 88,411 miles

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

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

suspected noisey n/s front wheel bearing

Pass 19 Feb 2009 88,411 miles

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

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

suspected noisey n/s front wheel bearing

Pass 29 Feb 2008 82,929 miles

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 29 Feb 2008 82,929 miles

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

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 28 Feb 2007 77,117 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Slight wear in rear top shocker bushes.

Pass 28 Feb 2007 77,117 miles

Slight wear in rear top shocker bushes.

Pass 23 Feb 2006 71,486 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.

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W981 SPD is a 2000 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 W981 SPD, 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 W981 SPD?

You can check the full history of W981 SPD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was W981 SPD registered?

W981 SPD is a 2000 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 29 March 2000.

Is W981 SPD safe to buy?

The MOT history for W981 SPD shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does W981 SPD 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 W981 SPD. 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.