1983 Land Rover Defender 3.5L Petrol · A48 HEL
1983 Land Rover Defender (3.5L, petrol). First registered 16 Sept 1983. Recorded mileage 17,370 miles. MOT valid until 19 Aug 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1983 · Peterborough
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 19 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 17,370 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 3.5L
- 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.
A48 HEL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/08/2026
- 17,370 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (11 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
A48 HEL 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 1983 Land Rover Defender (A48 HEL) between November 2022 and August 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 21 August 2026 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: Lighting (11 issues), Brakes (7 issues), Windscreen (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 13 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: “Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside (1.2.1 (b) (i))”; “Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))”.
A48 HEL Mileage History
- 11/11/202216,394 mi
- 11/11/202216,397 mi+3 mi
- 14/08/202516,978 mi+581 mi
- 15/08/202516,982 mi+4 mi
- 21/08/202617,370 mi+388 mi
Average of roughly 259 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: Average
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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