2002 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · BU52 NLF
2002 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Sept 2002. Recorded mileage 239,680 miles. MOT valid until 05 Apr 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Birmingham
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 05 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 239,680 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.
BU52 NLF Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 07/04/2026
- 239,680 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
BU52 NLF 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 2002 Land Rover Defender (BU52 NLF) between February 2023 and April 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 07 April 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: Brakes (4 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 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: “Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Pitman arm ”; “Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))”; “Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))”.
BU52 NLF Mileage History
- 11/02/2023230,151 mi
- 11/02/2023230,151 mi
- 15/04/2024236,673 mi+6,522 mi
- 24/03/2026239,673 mi+3,000 mi
- 07/04/2026239,680 mi+7 mi
Average of roughly 3,024 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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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 2002 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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