2012 Land Rover Defender 2.2L Diesel · FE12 KTP

The 2012 Land Rover Defender was presented for its most recent MOT on 26 March 2026 at 86,777 miles and passed with no defects recorded. Three of the four previous annual tests also returned clean passes, namely those on 23 March 2023, 21 March 2025 and 25 March 2024 (the second test of that day). The record on the whole reads as stable, with the only blemish being a single fail on 25 March 2024 that, unusually, lists no advisory or defect entries. A pass recorded on the same calendar day as a fail points to a retest after a defect was rectified between examinations rather than a serious structural concern, but it still represents a momentary lapse in compliance that warrants acknowledgement. Annual mileage sits close to 6,200 miles, broadly typical for a fourteen-year-old utility vehicle of this type. The gap between the 2023 and 2024 tests is negligible at around a year, and the mileage accumulation across that interval appears consistent with gentle, intermittent use. No extended absence from testing is visible in the five entries supplied, suggesting the vehicle has not been laid up for long periods. The clean sheets at the three most recent tests, in 2024 (retest), 2025 and 2026, indicate no recurring advisories on tyres, brakes, suspension or corrosion across the documented window. Given the absence of recorded advisories, no specific component trend can be traced, yet this itself is worth noting: a Defender of this age frequently attracts advisory entries for chassis corrosion, underbody components or ageing bushes, so the lack of such flags across three consecutive tests is itself an observation rather than proof of condition. A prospective buyer should still carry out a hands-on appraisal, concentrating on areas the MOT scheme does not cover comprehensively. The chassis, cross members and rear cross tube are notorious Defender corrosion zones and warrant close inspection on a ramp, along with the bulkhead, footwells and door bottoms. Suspension bushes, coil springs, shock absorbers and steering ball joints deserve physical checks for perishing and wear beyond what a stationary roller test can reveal. Drivetrain items such as swivel pin housings, half shafts, transfer box and clutch action, together with a thorough check for oil leaks from the engine and gearbox, should also be undertaken. Because the MOT record carries no advisories, any deterioration now present will not be reflected in the history; therefore an independent pre-purchase inspection is strongly advisable before committing. Based purely on the documented MOT outcomes, the most recent activity is recent and clean, the failure rate is low, and no repeating defects have been logged. With three consecutive defect-free passes and mileage in line with the vehicle's age, the immediate roadworthiness position appears stable. Assigned buying score: 70, risk level: Low.