2001 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · FN51 EBV

The Land Rover Defender presents a stable roadworthiness trend with a current pass recorded at the most recent test on 20 January 2025 at 134,767 miles. The DVSA entry shows a fail and pass logged on the same date with no defects recorded, which points to an administrative or presentation issue at the testing station rather than a mechanical fault. Prior to that, the vehicle passed cleanly on 21 December 2022 at 131,039 miles and again on 14 December 2023 at 132,605 miles, with a matching fail and pass pair on that date also showing no defects. The history carries no advisories or recorded wear items across the observed period. At roughly 25 years old the Defender shows 134,767 recorded miles, an average of about 5,391 miles per year. The low annual figure suggests light use or extended periods off the road. Mileage moved from 131,039 in December 2022 to 132,605 in December 2023, then to 134,767 by January 2025, a gradual accumulation of under 4,000 miles across just over two years. No rapid accumulation or suspicious jumps appear in the record. The clean test outcomes across this span imply the previous keeper kept basic statutory testing in order, though the duplicated fail and pass lines on two separate dates leave the documentation untidy. A buyer should still inspect the chassis and bulkhead for structural corrosion, a known weak point on this era of Defender even where MOT tests log no defects. The suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake discs warrant a hands-on check for age-related deterioration that a no-defect test may not capture on a lightly used vehicle. Drivetrain oils, transfer box, and axle seals should be reviewed given the low mileage and likely standing periods. Given the absence of recorded advisories, the mechanical risk from the document alone is low, but the same-day fail and pass entries reduce confidence in the precision of the testing history. A pre-purchase inspection by a Land Rover specialist remains sensible before commitment.