1998 LAND ROVER DEFENDER2.5L Diesel

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile, maintaining a clean pass record over the last three years. The most recent inspection conducted in July 2025 at 150,946 miles resulted in no defects, indicating that the vehicle currently meets the minimum safety standards. While a failure was recorded in July 2024, the immediate re-test on the same day suggests the owner was proactive in addressing the identified faults to return the vehicle to the road quickly. The mileage pattern is remarkably low for a 28-year-old Defender, averaging approximately 5,400 miles per year. Between June 2022 and July 2023, the vehicle covered 3,477 miles, showing a consistent but low-usage profile compared to the national average for heavy-duty vehicles of this age. This low annual mileage often reduces mechanical wear on drivetrain components and engine internals, though long periods of standing can occasionally lead to dry rot in rubber components, perished seals, or corrosion on brake assemblies that are not regularly cleared by use. Despite the clean MOT history, a physical inspection must focus on the structural integrity of the chassis and crossmembers, as these are prone to deep corrosion that may not always be captured in a standard test. Given the low mileage, I recommend examining the suspension bushes and rubber boots for cracking or degradation, as age affects these materials more than mileage does. The buyer should also check for signs of binding calipers or seized brake sliders to ensure the low usage frequency has not resulted in fluid ingress or surface pitting on the braking system.