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YH51 VUC

2001 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jan 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

156,521 mi
Last recorded156,521 miles
Recorded on31 Jan 2026
Typical for 2001 Land Rover Defender94,644 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationYH51 VUC
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2001
ColourRed
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 31 Jan 2026 156,521 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2026 156,521 miles

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

Nearside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 8 Jan 2025 151,486 miles
Fail 7 Jan 2025 151,485 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting out rigger to body and step (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 25 Jan 2024 145,836 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 17 Jan 2024 145,835 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested pipe leaking (1.2.1 (g))

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Front Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) pitman arm (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.12 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 19 Jan 2023 140,898 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Jan 2023 140,897 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

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

Front Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) pitman arm (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch marked yellow (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch marked yelow (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jan 2022 137,066 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 6 Jan 2022 137,016 miles

Central Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis corroded and holed (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength body mount corroded and holed (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Upper brake light not working

Rear differential front seal leaking

Pass 13 Jan 2021 132,325 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Jan 2020 127,448 miles
Fail 2 Dec 2019 127,436 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper missing (3.4 (a))

Offside Driver's view of an obligatory external mirror materially affected by an obstruction (3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Steering arm deformed to the extent that steering is affected (2.1.3 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 28 Nov 2018 121,858 miles

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

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Nov 2018 121,858 miles

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

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 30 Nov 2017 114,727 miles
Fail 29 Nov 2017 114,727 miles

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

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

Offside Front steering damper bush worn

Fail 27 Nov 2017 114,693 miles

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

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

Offside Front steering damper bush worn

Pass 28 Nov 2016 108,927 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2015 103,259 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2014 96,349 miles
Pass 19 Nov 2013 89,016 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2012 82,707 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2011 75,009 miles

both rear brake discs corroded

Pass 23 Nov 2010 64,853 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2009 55,943 miles
Pass 14 Nov 2008 47,242 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2007 39,322 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2006 32,231 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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YH51 VUC is a 2001 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

Across all 2001 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.0% with a typical mileage of 94,644 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 YH51 VUC, 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 25 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 YH51 VUC?

You can check the full history of YH51 VUC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YH51 VUC registered?

YH51 VUC is a 2001 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 22 November 2001.

Is YH51 VUC safe to buy?

The MOT history for YH51 VUC 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 YH51 VUC 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 YH51 VUC. 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.