1991 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · H296 AFG
1991 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/01/1991. Recorded mileage 185,731 miles. MOT valid until 12/02/2027. Taxed until 01/09/2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1991 · Bournemouth
- MOT Status
- Valid until 12/02/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/09/2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 185,731 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 1991
- Engine
- 2495cc
H296 AFG Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 22/01/2026
- 185,731 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
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H296 AFG Mileage History
- 17/01/2024183,785 mi
- 18/01/2024183,785 mi
- 22/01/2025184,449 mi+664 mi
- 24/01/2025184,455 mi+6 mi
- 22/01/2026185,731 mi+1,276 mi
Average of roughly 966 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
H296 AFG 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 1991 Land Rover Defender (H296 AFG) between January 2024 and January 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 22 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: Tyres (8 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 14 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: “Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Service brake grabbing severely (1.2.1 (c))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
This 1991 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel in classic green shows commendable recent MOT resilience with clean passes in 2024, 2025, and 2026. However, prospective buyers must carefully inspect for structural corrosion and mechanical wear typical of a 35-year-old utility vehicle.
When inspecting this 1991 Defender, scrutinise the chassis, outriggers, bulkhead, and footwells for structural rust, as corrosion is a primary MOT failure reason for this model. Verify the service history to ensure the 2.495cc diesel engine has been maintained regularly, checking for oil leaks and coolant condition. Negotiate price points based on any cosmetic or minor mechanical shortcomings, keeping in mind that older Land Rovers require dedicated upkeep and preventive maintenance.
Running a classic 1991 Land Rover Defender involves distinct financial considerations compared to modern vehicles. Fuel economy from the 2.495cc diesel engine will be utilitarian, while insurance often benefits from specialist classic car policies despite higher groups. Maintenance costs can be unpredictable due to age-related wear on components like ball joints and lighting systems, meaning owners should budget consistently for ongoing upkeep.
Pay close attention to the chassis and body crossmembers, checking for deep-seated rust or previous patch repairs that frequently plague classic Defenders. Inspect the steering and suspension components, specifically checking ball joints for play given their prominence in model failure statistics. Finally, thoroughly test all electrical systems, headlights, and switches to guard against common headlamp faults.
First registered in January 1991, this Green Land Rover Defender has covered 185,731 miles, averaging significantly higher annual mileage than the national aggregate of 3,584 miles for this model. Its recent MOT history features clean passes in January 2026, January 2025, and January 2024, though it did experience initial test failures immediately preceding its 2024 and 2025 passes. Given the model's known vulnerabilities to corrosion, headlamp issues, and ball joint wear, a thorough physical inspection of the chassis is essential.
The Land Rover Defender achieves an average MOT pass rate of 78.8% across the wider model range, with headlamps, ball joints, and corrosion standing out as the top failure reasons.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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