1997 LAND ROVER DEFENDER2.5L Diesel
Vehicle Insight Summary
With 124,144 miles recorded, this Grey 1997 LAND ROVER DEFENDER runs on Diesel with a 2495cc engine. MOT is currently valid and tax is up to date.
- Fuel
- Diesel
- Year
- 1997
- Engine
- 2495cc
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Technical Specifications
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Full MOT History
Registered in 1997, this Land Rover Defender with plate R473 EHO has undergone 5 MOT inspections since May 2024.
Across its entire MOT history, this Land Rover has a 60% success rate (3 passes and 2 fails). This is an average MOT record. Some attention to recurring issues may be beneficial.
The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Brakes (4 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.
There are 14 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.
A total of 3 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))”; “Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))”; “Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords both (5.2.3 (d) (i))”.
AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.
Buyer's Guide
AI-powered analysis based on real MOT data and market insights.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution and a thorough mechanical inspection. While the mileage is reasonable for a 1997 vehicle, the history of oil leaks and structural corrosion requires careful scrutiny.
When inspecting this Defender, prioritize a thorough check of the chassis and structural components. The MOT history has flagged corrosion on the offside front structure and near the towbar mounting in previous years. Ensure any recent welding or structural repairs are documented and well-executed.
Secondly, investigate the oil leaks. The vehicle has had persistent advisories regarding engine and transmission oil leaks dating back several years. Ask for evidence of recent seals or gaskets being replaced. Finally, check the suspension bushings and wheel bearings; the most recent MOT advisory (July 2026) specifically mentions worn suspension arm pins and bushes on both the nearside front and offside rear.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — AI-assisted analysis verified by automotive experts.
Data Sources
DVSA
MOT test records from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.
DVLA
Vehicle registration, tax, and specification data.
OneAutoAPI
Market valuation, warranty, and recall intelligence.
AI Analysis
Machine learning insights trained on millions of UK MOT records.
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