1987 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · D941 VJK

The Land Rover Defender presents a currently roadworthy status following a clean pass on 6 January 2026 at 139,107 miles. The maintenance trend is stable with no recorded defects across the five most recent tests. Two administrative failures on 29 December 2025 and 19 November 2024 show no defects logged, indicating paperwork or presentation issues rather than mechanical faults. The vehicle cleared its prior pass on 19 November 2024 at identical mileage and again on 10 October 2023 at 138,457 miles. Recorded mileage sits at 139,107 against a 39 year life, averaging roughly 3,567 miles per year. The gap between the October 2023 test at 138,457 miles and the November 2024 test at 138,860 miles added only 403 miles in thirteen months. From November 2024 to January 2026 the odometer moved just 247 miles. Such low accumulation implies extended standing periods, which on a 1987 chassis raises the risk of perished rubber bushes, stagnant brake calipers, and hidden corrosion rather than high use wear. A buyer should physically inspect the bulkhead, chassis rails, and outriggers for structural rust given the age and low mileage storage pattern. The tester logged no advisories on suspension, brake discs, or exhaust emissions, but a Defender of this vintage often hides fatigued coil springs and degraded suspension bushes that a static MOT bay will not always flag. Check the drivetrain for seized UJ joints and verify the brake calipers are not binding after the long idle. The absence of defect data across the record suggests previous owners kept the vehicle lightly used and presented it for test without outstanding faults. Confirm in person that the low mileage reflects careful custody rather than concealed mechanical neglect from standing unused.