1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · A2 MTU

The Land Rover Defender passed its most recent MOT on 8 July 2024 at 118,593 miles with no defects recorded, indicating a currently stable roadworthiness status. The maintenance trend shows no worsening faults across the two tests logged in July 2024, with the vehicle clearing its retest one week after a failure that carried no listed defects. Recorded mileage stands at 118,593 against a 1997 build, equating to roughly 4,089 miles per year. That is low for a 29-year-old vehicle. The history shows only a single-mile movement between the 1 July 2024 failure at 118,592 miles and the 8 July 2024 pass, with no earlier entries supplied. Sparse data limits longitudinal wear analysis, though the low annual average suggests either light use or extended periods out of service. The 1 July 2024 failure with zero recorded defects is anomalous. A tester does not fail a vehicle without cause, so the absence of listed faults implies either an administrative error or an unlogged serious issue such as structural corrosion or emissions. A buyer should inspect chassis rails, bulkhead, and outriggers for rust, and verify the test centre's failure rationale. Given the Defender's age and the unexplained failure, physical examination of brake discs, calipers, suspension bushes, and coil springs is warranted despite the clean pass. Confirm the vehicle has not stood unused for long spells that could seize components or degrade tyres and flexible brake hoses.