1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P852 DOD
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 02 Apr 1997. Recorded mileage 129,611 miles. MOT valid until 24 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 24 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 129,611 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.
P852 DOD Key Findings
- 30 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 04/03/2026
- 129,611 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 11 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (60 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P852 DOD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
30 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Defender (P852 DOD) between March 2006 and March 2026.
The record contains 19 passes and 11 failures.
The most recent test on 04 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 11 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (60 issues), Brakes (12 issues), Suspension (11 issues), Steering (10 issues), Tyres (9 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 105 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 Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))”; “Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural streng”.
P852 DOD Mileage History
- 08/03/200672,710 mi
- 08/03/200672,710 mi
- 02/03/200778,529 mi+5,819 mi
- 02/03/200778,531 mi+2 mi
- 07/03/200885,326 mi+6,795 mi
- 07/03/200885,326 mi
- 18/03/200989,930 mi+4,604 mi
- 20/03/201090,022 mi+92 mi
- 13/12/201190,469 mi+447 mi
- 21/12/201190,633 mi+164 mi
- 17/07/201392,863 mi+2,230 mi
- 21/03/201492,873 mi+10 mi
- 22/03/201492,879 mi+6 mi
- 11/03/201597,789 mi+4,910 mi
- 11/03/2016102,155 mi+4,366 mi
- 18/03/2017106,088 mi+3,933 mi
- 20/03/2018109,095 mi+3,007 mi
- 21/03/2019111,855 mi+2,760 mi
- 25/03/2020114,703 mi+2,848 mi
- 25/03/2020114,703 mi
- 12/03/2021117,794 mi+3,091 mi
- 12/03/2021117,799 mi+5 mi
- 25/03/2022120,564 mi+2,765 mi
- 25/03/2022120,564 mi
- 17/03/2023123,146 mi+2,582 mi
- 20/03/2023123,189 mi+43 mi
- 19/03/2024125,136 mi+1,947 mi
- 20/03/2024125,146 mi+10 mi
- 07/03/2025127,582 mi+2,436 mi
- 04/03/2026129,611 mi+2,029 mi
Average of roughly 2,847 miles per year across 30 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: Good
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 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.
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