1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · S938 BDU
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 21 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 96,625 miles. MOT status: Failed.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 96,625 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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S938 BDU Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 24/01/2022
- 96,625 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S938 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 1998 Land Rover Defender (S938 BDU) between January 2022 and January 2022.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 24 January 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
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 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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