1987 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · E138 AAU
1987 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 02 Dec 1987. Recorded mileage 97,235 miles. MOT valid until 22 Jan 2027. Taxed until 01 Jan 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1987 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 22 Jan 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jan 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 97,235 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.
E138 AAU Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 23/01/2026
- 97,235 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (13 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
E138 AAU 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 1987 Land Rover Defender (E138 AAU) between July 2023 and January 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 23 January 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 (13 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 12 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: “Offside Lower Intermediate drop arm insecure on steering box (2.1.3 (a) (i))”; “Central Rear Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail (6.1.7 (c) (ii))”; “Offside Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play (2.2.2 (c))”.
E138 AAU Mileage History
- 20/07/202397,235 mi
- 19/11/202497,235 mi
- 09/12/202497,235 mi
- 23/01/202697,235 mi
- 23/01/202697,235 mi
Average of roughly 0 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
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Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
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