2000 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · V298 FTE

The Land Rover Defender presents as roadworthy following its most recent test on 7 November 2025 at 169,363 miles, where the tester recorded no defects and issued a pass. The maintenance trend appears stable, with the vehicle clearing every annual examination once minor pre-test failures were resolved. No advisories or worn components appear in the official record across the observed period. The recorded mileage of 169,363 against a 2000 model year gives a mean of roughly 6,514 miles per year, which is typical for a 26-year-old utility vehicle. The gap between the 9 October 2023 pass at 163,773 miles and the 11 November 2024 pass at 166,713 miles shows only 2,940 miles added in thirteen months, suggesting light use or periods of standing. From November 2024 to November 2025 the odometer rose a further 2,650 miles, confirming a consistently low annual running rate. The test history shows two isolated failures on 28 October 2024 at 166,686 miles and 5 November 2025 at 169,350 miles, yet the DVSA entries list no defects for either. This pattern indicates administrative or presentation issues at the testing station rather than mechanical faults, as both were converted to passes within days without recorded rectification. The absence of advisories on suspension bushes, brake discs, corrosion, or exhaust emissions across all five entries implies the previous owner kept the chassis and drivetrain in acceptable condition for its age. A buyer should still commission a physical inspection of structural integrity given the Defender's age and steel ladder-frame design. Check chassis outriggers, bulkhead footwells, and spring hangers for hidden rust not captured by the clean MOT record. Verify the binding history is absent on calipers and confirm tyre tread depth and sidewall condition, as the sparse entries give no consumable wear data beyond the test dates.