2001 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · CM51 DOG

The vehicle remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 2026-04-20, passing with minor advisories including a non-excessive oil leak and slight play in the offside front steering dampener bush. However, the maintenance trend is worsening — the April 2026 test followed a failure in early April 2026 that flagged multiple critical issues including defective brake servo, worn seat belt webbing, and a nearside track rod end ball joint posing a serious risk of detachment. The failure record indicates a pattern of deferred or incomplete repairs, particularly around braking and suspension components, which have not been resolved to a satisfactory standard despite repeated testing. The recorded mileage of 140,989 miles over 25 years equates to roughly 5,640 miles per year, which is low for its age and suggests the vehicle has been lightly used or stored for extended periods. The gap between MOT tests is consistent — approximately 12 months — with no evidence of rapid mileage accumulation or sudden jumps in distance. The most recent test occurred just 26 days before the current date, meaning the vehicle’s condition is very current and any mechanical issues flagged are likely to be recent or ongoing. The 8-mile increase between the 2026-04-01 and 2026-04-20 tests is negligible and does not indicate accelerated wear. A buyer should inspect the nearside and offside track rod end ball joints closely, as these have been flagged multiple times with excessive play and risk of detachment — a structural failure hazard. The brake system requires urgent attention, particularly the servo and pedal anti-slip provision, which failed in April 2026 and were not resolved before the subsequent pass. Suspension components, including rear shock absorbers with fluid leaks and central rear ball joints with play, should be examined for wear or replacement. Oil leaks from the engine, transfer box, and rear diff are persistent but classified as non-excessive — still, they indicate potential seal degradation or maintenance neglect. Tyre wear, especially on the nearside front, has been noted twice and should be replaced immediately if still near the legal limit. Structural integrity, particularly around the chassis and suspension mounts, should be checked for corrosion or fatigue, given the age and intermittent use pattern.