2000 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · W981 AOA
2000 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 18 Mar 2000. Recorded mileage 180,497 miles. MOT expired on 12 Jun 2023.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2000 · Exeter
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 12 Jun 2023
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 May 2024)
- Recorded Mileage
- 180,497 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.
W981 AOA Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 14/04/2025
- 180,497 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 29 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (11 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
W981 AOA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2000 Land Rover Defender (W981 AOA) between June 2022 and April 2025.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 14 April 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (11 issues), Brakes (9 issues), Tyres (5 issues), Bodywork (5 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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 Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”; “Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”; “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural streng”.
W981 AOA Mileage History
- 14/06/2022180,475 mi
- 14/04/2025180,497 mi+22 mi
Average of roughly 8 miles per year across 2 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: 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 2000 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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