1996 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · N378 CYD
1996 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 May 1996. Recorded mileage 110,898 miles. MOT expired on 27 Jun 2019. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 27 Jun 2019
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 110,898 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
N378 CYD Key Findings
- 20 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 06/06/2019
- 110,898 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 7 historical MOT failures
- 23 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (26 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
N378 CYD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
20 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Land Rover Defender (N378 CYD) between May 2006 and June 2019.
The record contains 13 passes and 7 failures.
The most recent test on 06 June 2019 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (26 issues), Brakes (20 issues), Suspension (11 issues), Bodywork (6 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 28 advisory notices are 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.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner ”; “Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ”; “Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely”.
N378 CYD Mileage History
- 31/05/200662,101 mi
- 30/05/200766,687 mi+4,586 mi
- 30/05/200766,687 mi
- 20/05/200871,189 mi+4,502 mi
- 21/05/200871,189 mi
- 19/05/200977,500 mi+6,311 mi
- 01/06/201082,481 mi+4,981 mi
- 09/05/201189,261 mi+6,780 mi
- 11/05/201189,261 mi
- 09/05/201294,661 mi+5,400 mi
- 15/05/201294,679 mi+18 mi
- 20/05/201399,698 mi+5,019 mi
- 25/05/201399,698 mi
- 15/04/2014102,158 mi+2,460 mi
- 06/05/2015105,034 mi+2,876 mi
- 19/05/2016108,008 mi+2,974 mi
- 15/05/2017109,326 mi+1,318 mi
- 25/06/2018110,724 mi+1,398 mi
- 28/06/2018110,725 mi+1 mi
- 06/06/2019110,898 mi+173 mi
Average of roughly 3,749 miles per year across 20 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Land Rover Defender (Classic L316)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
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.
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LAND ROVER DEFENDER Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1996 model year cars.
- Chassis and Bulkhead CorrosionSerious
The steel chassis and bulkhead rot from the inside out, often hidden by underseal or carpet.
- Oil Leaks from Gaskets and SealsModerate
Worn valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and crankshaft seals cause persistent oil leaks. The rear main seal is particularly prone on later Puma models.
- Electrical Gremlins and Wiring DeteriorationModerate
Corroded bulkhead earthing points and deteriorating wiring harnesses cause intermittent electrical faults including flickering lights, false warnings, and central locking failures.
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