1987 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · D975 TFM

The Land Rover Defender presents as roadworthy with a stable maintenance trend. The most recent test on 3 September 2025 at 132,920 miles returned a pass with no defects recorded, continuing an unbroken run of clean results across the prior three years. Recorded mileage sits at 132,920 against a 39-year life, an average of roughly 3,400 miles per year. The DVSA data shows very low annual use: 131,756 miles on 3 September 2024, 130,240 on 1 September 2023, and 130,131 on 31 August 2022. The same-day fail and pass on 1 September 2023 at 130,240 miles carries no listed defect, indicating an administrative rejection rather than a mechanical fault. Such sparse, clean records give little evidence of neglect but also no depth of inspection history. A buyer should still commission an in-person check of chassis rails, bulkhead, and outriggers for corrosion, as structural rust remains the chief threat on a 1987 Defender even when MOT advisories are absent. The low standing mileage suggests suspension bushes, brake calipers, and dampers may have degraded through inactivity rather than wear. Verify the function of the drivetrain and steering joints under load, and confirm the brake discs and exhaust emissions match the clean test record. The absence of advisories across five tests implies careful storage, yet age alone warrants a physical inspection before purchase.