1981 Rover Defender 3.9L Petrol · NIJ 1816
1981 Rover Defender (3.9L, petrol). First registered 01/04/1981. Recorded mileage 156,155 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1981 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 29/03/2026
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 156,155 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 3.9L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1981
- Engine
- 3900cc
NIJ 1816 Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 08/07/2026
- 156,155 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 11 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
NIJ 1816 Mileage History
- 15/03/2023152,241 mi
- 13/03/2024153,063 mi+822 mi
- 13/03/2024153,063 mi
- 27/03/2025155,522 mi+2,459 mi
- 08/07/2026156,155 mi+633 mi
Average of roughly 1,180 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
NIJ 1816 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 1981 Rover Defender (NIJ 1816) between March 2023 and July 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 08 July 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (6 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 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: “Front Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))”.
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (NIJ1 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as NIJ1816.
MINI
COOPER SPORT
KIA
SORENTO 4 PHEV AWD AUTO
MERCEDES-BENZ
E 220 D SE PREMIUM AUTO
VOLVO
XC60
JAGUAR
E-PACE
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 220 D 4MATIC SPORT AUTO
LANCIA
DELTA
BENTLEY
CONTINENTAL
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO
MG
GS
BMW
420I M SPORT AUTO
FORD
KUGA