2004 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · AX04 VXK

The 2004 Land Rover Defender exhibits a stable roadworthiness trend based on its most recent MOT test on 2025-08-20 at 137,581 miles, which passed with no defects. However, the vehicle failed two consecutive tests in 2025 and 2024 at the same mileage (137,581 and 135,420 miles) without recorded defects, suggesting potential administrative or procedural issues rather than mechanical failures. No recurring structural, suspension, or braking concerns were flagged in the history, indicating the vehicle has maintained functional integrity despite the failed tests. The mileage of 137,581 miles aligns with an average annual usage of 6,254 miles over 22 years, reflecting typical wear for the model. The MOT records show no significant gaps in testing, with annual assessments between 2023 and 2025. The consistency in mileage between tests—such as the 2,800-mile increase from 2023-08-14 (132,625 miles) to 2024-08-23 (135,422 miles)—suggests regular use without prolonged inactivity. No spikes or drops in mileage indicate erratic driving patterns, though the lack of detailed defect reports limits insight into component-specific wear. A buyer should prioritize in-person checks for suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake disc corrosion, as these are common wear points in older four-wheel drives. The absence of recorded advisories on tyres, exhaust emissions, or structural rust is positive, but the two failed MOTs at identical mileages warrant scrutiny of the vehicle’s electrical systems or emission controls, which may not have been flagged in the tests. Inspecting the undercarriage for rust and verifying brake functionality is essential to confirm the vehicle’s ongoing reliability.