1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R448 AUY
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 22 Jun 1998. Recorded mileage 126,532 miles. MOT valid until 18 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 18 May 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 126,532 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.
R448 AUY Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 20/05/2026
- 126,532 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 16 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (24 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R448 AUY 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 1998 Land Rover Defender (R448 AUY) between May 2024 and May 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 20 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (24 issues), Lighting (8 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (6 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Brakes (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 47 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: “Offside Front Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii))”; “Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))”; “Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.2.1 (b))”.
R448 AUY Mileage History
- 03/05/2024121,981 mi
- 13/05/2024121,999 mi+18 mi
- 12/05/2025123,274 mi+1,275 mi
- 15/05/2026126,532 mi+3,258 mi
- 20/05/2026126,532 mi
Average of roughly 2,225 miles per year across 5 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: 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 1998 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.
- TD5 Injector Harness Oil MigrationSerious
Oil seeps along the injector wiring harness into the ECU red plug, causing rough running, misfires, and potential ECU damage.
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