1988 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · E97 BNM
1988 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 28 Jan 1988. Recorded mileage 132,847 miles. MOT valid until 02 Feb 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1988 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 02 Feb 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 132,847 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.
E97 BNM Key Findings
- 25 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 03/02/2026
- 132,847 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 9 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (23 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
E97 BNM MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
25 MOT tests are recorded for this 1988 Land Rover Defender (E97 BNM) between July 2006 and February 2026.
The record contains 16 passes and 9 failures.
The most recent test on 03 February 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 9 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (23 issues), Suspension (12 issues), Bodywork (7 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Windscreen (5 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 34 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: “Brake performance unable to be tested due to rear suspension mounts condition (1.2.1 (g))”; “Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ”; “Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”.
E97 BNM Mileage History
- 19/07/2006109,923 mi
- 21/07/2006109,923 mi
- 12/10/2007114,740 mi+4,817 mi
- 16/10/2007114,740 mi
- 06/11/2008117,415 mi+2,675 mi
- 11/11/2008117,428 mi+13 mi
- 30/11/2009118,479 mi+1,051 mi
- 03/12/2009118,479 mi
- 05/11/2010118,479 mi
- 01/03/2012118,800 mi+321 mi
- 14/03/2013118,800 mi
- 19/03/2013118,800 mi
- 21/06/2014119,064 mi+264 mi
- 09/06/2015123,270 mi+4,206 mi
- 06/07/2016132,932 mi+9,662 mi
- 06/07/2016132,932 mi
- 01/08/2017135,847 mi+2,915 mi
- 01/08/2017135,849 mi+2 mi
- 10/07/2018135,847 mi-2 mi
- 22/07/2019135,847 mi
- 12/10/2022135,847 mi
- 12/10/2022135,847 mi
- 08/03/2024135,847 mi
- 02/02/2026135,847 mi
- 03/02/2026132,847 mi-3,000 mi
Average of roughly 1,173 miles per year across 25 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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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