2004 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · 42 CD
2004 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 20 Jul 2004. Recorded mileage 87,127 miles. MOT valid until 15 Nov 2026. Taxed until 01 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2004
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 15 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Mar 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 87,127 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.
42 CD Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 28/10/2025
- 87,127 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
42 CD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Land Rover Defender (42 CD) between November 2023 and October 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 28 October 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (8 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Brakes (4 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). 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: “Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))”; “Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))”; “Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
42 CD Mileage History
- 14/11/202384,499 mi
- 12/11/202486,284 mi+1,785 mi
- 13/11/202486,284 mi
- 27/10/202587,127 mi+843 mi
- 28/10/202587,127 mi
Average of roughly 1,344 miles per year across 5 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: Good
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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed only with caution and a pre-purc
Arrange an independent inspection by a marque specialist before committing to purchase. The 2024 MOT failure specifically flagged 'Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting', which is a serious structural finding that warrants close physical examination — corrosion of this nature can spread rapidly on a Defender chassis and may indicate the need for substantial remedial welding or, in worst cases, chassis replacement. Bargain hard on price to reflect the cost of likely corrosion repair, replacement anti-roll bar components, and brake disc refurbishment or replacement, as the rear discs were flagged as worn and pitted in both 2024 and 2025.
Check that the chassis, bulkhead, and outriggers are free from perforation corrosion, and budget for ongoing suspension and brake maintenance given the recurring advisory items. Ask to see any service invoices and confirm the timing belt has been changed at the recommended interval on the 2.5 Td5 — this is a major service item. Verify the provenance of the vehicle carefully, as Defenders of this age and specification are often project vehicles or ex-works vehicles, and the presence of a towbar combined with structural corrosion near its mounting suggests heavy prior use.
Expect fuel economy in the mid-20s mpg for a 2.5 Td5 Defender under mixed driving, dropping considerably in town or when towing. Road tax for a diesel of this age and engine size typically sits around £330 per year, though pre-2006 diesels registered before March 2006 may qualify for the older Vehicle Excise Duty rate depending on CO2 band. Insurance will likely place this Defender in group 12-15, so premiums for a 22-year-old working vehicle will depend heavily on your postcode and driving history. Allow £1,200-£1,600 annually for fuel, tax, insurance, and routine maintenance on a Defender of this age, with the proviso that unforeseen corrosion or suspension work could push this figure considerably higher.
The MOT history shows a pattern of anti-roll bar wear: the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has appeared as an advisory in 2024 and as a failure-level item in 2025, while a nearside rear anti-roll bar component failed in 2024. Physically inspect all four anti-roll bar linkages, bushes, and drop links for play, cracking, or perished rubber. The rear brake discs have been flagged as pitted or scored in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting replacement will be due imminently. Inspect pad wear and check for uneven wear patterns that might indicate a seized caliper or sticking handbrake mechanism.
The 2024 failure recorded 'Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting'. A Defender specialist should crawl underneath and check the chassis rails, cross members, outriggers, bulkhead, and specifically the area around the towbar for advanced corrosion. Tap suspect areas with a screwdriver — healthy steel should ring, corroded steel will thud and the screwdriver will sink in. Also inspect the rear inner brake disc condition visually and check for any oil leaks from the Td5 engine, particularly around the injector loom, rocker cover, and oil cooler, as these are common Td5 weak points.
This 2004 Land Rover Defender 2.5 Td5, finished in grey and first registered in July 2004, has covered 87,127 miles across 22 years of service. Two MOT failures are recorded in the available history, with structural corrosion near the towbar and recurring anti-roll bar wear both appearing as concerns. Average annual mileage implied by the record (roughly 4,000 miles per year) sits modestly above the Defender model's 3,722-mile average. The aggregate MOT pass rate for Defenders is 78.1%, and this individual vehicle has not matched that benchmark.
The Land Rover Defender shows a 78.1% MOT pass rate across 125,827 vehicles analysed, placing it below the all-vehicle average and confirming a reputation for requiring regular mechanical attention. Brake-related items — including brake pipes, discs, and headlamps — are the most common failure points, consistent with the wear patterns seen on this individual vehicle.
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
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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 2004 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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