1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R935 BDU
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Nov 1997. Recorded mileage 87,636 miles. MOT status: Failed. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 87,636 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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R935 BDU Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 20/04/2022
- 87,636 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 16 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R935 BDU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 1997 Land Rover Defender (R935 BDU) between April 2022 and April 2022.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 20 April 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (8 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Lighting (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 6 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 Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stre”; “Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”; “Body component corroded and likely to cause injury Rear Step (6.2.1 (a) (i))”.
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: Poor
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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