1994 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · M981 EAG
1994 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/11/1994. Recorded mileage 61,413 miles. MOT valid until 09/10/2026. Taxed until 01/11/2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1994 · Manchester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 09/10/2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/11/2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 61,413 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 1994
- Engine
- 2495cc
M981 EAG Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/09/2025
- 61,413 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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M981 EAG Mileage History
- 24/09/202160,705 mi
- 21/09/202280,978 mi+20,273 mi
- 31/08/202361,210 mi-19,768 mi
- 11/10/202461,311 mi+101 mi
- 18/09/202561,413 mi+102 mi
Average of roughly 178 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
M981 EAG MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1994 Land Rover Defender (M981 EAG) between September 2021 and September 2025.
The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 1 advisory notice notes an item to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution due to a ma
The most critical point for negotiation and investigation is the mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was recorded at 60,705 miles in 2021, jumped to 80,978 miles in 2022, and then dropped back to 61,210 miles in 2023. You must determine if this was a clerical error by the MOT tester or an indication of odometer tampering.
Request a full folder of service invoices and historical receipts to trace the mileage chronologically. If the seller cannot provide a documented explanation for the 2022 reading, this should be viewed as a high-risk factor that may impact the vehicle's value and legality.
The 2.5L diesel engine is designed for utility rather than economy, meaning fuel costs will be high compared to modern vehicles. As a 1994 model, it will fall into a specific vintage tax bracket, and insurance groups for Defenders can vary based on modifications and usage.
Maintenance costs for a 30-year-old 4x4 are typically higher than average. Budget for regular lubrication of chassis points and the replacement of perishable rubber components. Estimated annual running costs are likely to be elevated due to the age and nature of the vehicle.
Prioritise a thorough inspection of the chassis and body for corrosion, as this is one of the top failure reasons for this model across 126,059 analysed vehicles. Specifically check the bulkhead and cross-members for structural rust.
Inspect the brake pipes and headlamps, both of which are listed as common failure points in aggregate model data. Additionally, check the current condition of the tyres, as the 2023 MOT recorded a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit.
This 1994 Red Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel has a current recorded mileage of 61,413 miles. The MOT history shows five tests since 2021, with a clean record in 2024 and 2025 and one tyre advisory in 2023. However, the 2022 record shows a mileage of 80,978, which is inconsistent with the readings from 2021 and 2023.
The Defender has an average MOT pass rate of 78.1%, with corrosion, brake pipes, and headlamps being the most frequent causes of failure.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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