1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P527 DEJ
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 26 Mar 1997. Recorded mileage 129,294 miles. MOT valid until 08 Feb 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 08 Feb 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 129,294 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.
P527 DEJ Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 14/01/2026
- 129,294 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P527 DEJ 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 1997 Land Rover Defender (P527 DEJ) between January 2024 and January 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 14 January 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
P527 DEJ Mileage History
- 26/01/2024124,537 mi
- 09/02/2024124,559 mi+22 mi
- 04/02/2025126,685 mi+2,126 mi
- 14/01/2026129,294 mi+2,609 mi
- 14/01/2026129,294 mi
Average of roughly 2,416 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
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.
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: 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.
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (P527 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as P527DEJ.
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
SAAB
9000 CSE
MITSUBISHI
STAR WAGON
YAMAHA
XJ600
SUBARU
SUBARU
IMPREZA
BMW
Z3
TRIUMPH
TROPHY
HONDA
CBR600F
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO 1.4 CL
MAZDA
BONGO
VAUXHALL
BRAVA
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 1997 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.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.