2004 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · DU04 SLV

The vehicle remains roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows a shift from minor interior wear to emerging mechanical requirements. In the most recent test on January 2026 at 156,679 miles, the Defender passed despite advisories for pitted and scored both rear brake discs and a worn bush on the offside rear shock absorber. This indicates a transition from the previous years of minor seat-related faults to a stage where mechanical components are beginning to require attention due to age and cumulative mileage. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent, averaging approximately 7,122 miles per year over its twenty-two-year life. Between January 2022 and January 2026, the vehicle covered 9,672 miles, representing a steady usage rate of roughly 2,400 miles annually. This regular interval suggests the vehicle has not suffered from long periods of stationary neglect, which often leads to perished seals and internal corrosion in older Land Rovers. The consistent gaps between tests further support an owner who has adhered to a standard annual maintenance schedule. A buyer should prioritize a physical inspection of the seat belt webbing, which appeared as a recurring advisory for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025 before seemingly being addressed or overlooked. The recent advisory regarding the rear brake discs suggests the rotors are reaching the end of their effective service life, as pitting often indicates surface corrosion or thinning. Given the worn bush on the offside rear shock absorber, a thorough check of the entire suspension assembly for play and the structural integrity of the chassis for rust is essential, as these are the primary failure points for this model at this mileage..