1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R495 AUJ
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 09 Mar 1998. Recorded mileage 224,609 miles. MOT valid until 14 Aug 2027. Taxed until 01 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 14 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 May 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 224,609 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.
R495 AUJ Key Findings
- 29 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 04/08/2026
- 224,609 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 8 historical MOT failures
- 8 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (59 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R495 AUJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
29 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Land Rover Defender (R495 AUJ) between June 2006 and August 2026.
The record contains 21 passes and 8 failures.
The most recent test on 04 August 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 8 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (59 issues), Brakes (17 issues), Suspension (15 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (11 issues), Steering (10 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 131 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 Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the”; “Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen both sides (3.5 (a))”; “Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))”.
R495 AUJ Mileage History
- 05/06/200692,672 mi
- 29/06/2007101,019 mi+8,347 mi
- 15/07/2008112,207 mi+11,188 mi
- 10/07/2009119,442 mi+7,235 mi
- 14/07/2010127,114 mi+7,672 mi
- 22/07/2011134,078 mi+6,964 mi
- 18/07/2012144,078 mi+10,000 mi
- 02/07/2013153,640 mi+9,562 mi
- 01/07/2014165,167 mi+11,527 mi
- 22/06/2015174,083 mi+8,916 mi
- 16/08/2016180,802 mi+6,719 mi
- 16/08/2016180,802 mi
- 16/08/2017186,549 mi+5,747 mi
- 14/08/2018193,126 mi+6,577 mi
- 15/08/2018193,128 mi+2 mi
- 30/07/2019197,410 mi+4,282 mi
- 30/07/2019197,416 mi+6 mi
- 20/07/2020201,731 mi+4,315 mi
- 14/08/2020201,735 mi+4 mi
- 06/08/2021206,485 mi+4,750 mi
- 06/08/2021206,485 mi
- 16/08/2022211,545 mi+5,060 mi
- 08/08/2023215,098 mi+3,553 mi
- 10/08/2023215,100 mi+2 mi
- 25/07/2024217,681 mi+2,581 mi
- 25/07/2024217,685 mi+4 mi
- 12/08/2025221,230 mi+3,545 mi
- 04/08/2026224,607 mi+3,377 mi
- 04/08/2026224,609 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 6,543 miles per year across 29 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 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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