1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R814 AFL
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 28/11/1997. Recorded mileage 61,420 miles. MOT status: Expired.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 06/09/2026
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01/09/2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 61,420 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
- Year
- 1997
- Engine
- 2495cc
R814 AFL Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/09/2025
- 61,420 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (3 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below 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.
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.
R814 AFL Mileage History
- 03/09/202460,919 mi
- 05/09/202460,920 mi+1 mi
- 08/09/202561,420 mi+500 mi
Average of roughly 495 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
R814 AFL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Defender (R814 AFL) between September 2024 and September 2025.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 08 September 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 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: “Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))”; “Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))”; “Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution. While the low mile
Focus your attention on the repairs carried out following the September 2024 MOT failure. You should verify that the brake pipes were properly replaced rather than just cleaned or painted, as corrosion in this area is a known weakness for the Defender model. Check the rear loading door to ensure it has been correctly reinstated and is fully functional.
Given the age of the vehicle and the nature of the 2024 failures, request detailed invoices for all work completed. Pay close attention to the seat belts, as the nearside webbing has been flagged as damaged or frayed in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting a recurring or unresolved issue.
As a 2.5L diesel, this Defender will have higher tax and insurance costs than a modern utility vehicle. Maintenance costs for 1990s Defenders are typically higher due to the frequency of required repairs to keep them roadworthy, particularly regarding chassis and brake system corrosion.
Fuel economy will be low by modern standards. When combining fuel, tax, insurance, and the likely need for frequent preventative maintenance, owners should budget for a higher annual spend than a standard passenger car.
Prioritise a thorough inspection of the brake pipes and the chassis for corrosion, as this was a specific failure point in 2024 and is a top failure reason across the model aggregate data. Inspect the nearside rear shock absorber lower bush and the nearside seat belt webbing, which have both been noted in recent MOT records.
Additionally, check the fuel cap for a proper seal and ensure the windscreen washer system is fully operational, both of which were failure items in 2024. Finally, check the front tyres to ensure there is no fouling against the vehicle bodywork, as previously recorded.
This 1997 white Land Rover Defender has recorded 61,420 miles, which is significantly lower than the average for its age. The MOT history is mixed, featuring a comprehensive failure in September 2024 involving brake pipes, a missing loading door, and tyre fouling. It has passed its two most recent tests, though seat belt issues have persisted across the last two records.
The Defender has an average MOT pass rate of 78.1%, with brake pipes and general corrosion being the most frequent causes of failure.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (R814 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as R814AFL.
HONDA
ACCORD
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO
ROVER
618
FORD
TRANSIT
MITSUBISHI
DELICA
HONDA
CIVIC
TOYOTA
HI-ACE
PIAGGIO
VESPA
SUZUKI
VITARA
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
FORD
FIESTA
ROVER
218