2002 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · HG02 VHR
2002 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 15 Jun 2002. Recorded mileage 224,130 miles. MOT valid until 24 Aug 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Bournemouth
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 24 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 224,130 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.
HG02 VHR Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 26/08/2026
- 224,130 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 11 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (35 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
HG02 VHR 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 2002 Land Rover Defender (HG02 VHR) between February 2024 and August 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 26 August 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: Lighting (35 issues), Steering (11 issues), Brakes (11 issues), Suspension (7 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (6 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 60 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 Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush lower bushes (5.3.2 (c))”; “Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ”; “Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2”.
HG02 VHR Mileage History
- 12/02/2024201,720 mi
- 12/02/2025212,383 mi+10,663 mi
- 14/02/2025212,387 mi+4 mi
- 21/08/2026224,128 mi+11,741 mi
- 26/08/2026224,130 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 8,840 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
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2002 model year cars.
- Chassis and Bulkhead CorrosionSerious
The steel chassis and bulkhead rot from the inside out, often hidden by underseal or carpet.
- Oil Leaks from Gaskets and SealsModerate
Worn valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and crankshaft seals cause persistent oil leaks. The rear main seal is particularly prone on later Puma models.
- TD5 Injector Harness Oil MigrationSerious
Oil seeps along the injector wiring harness into the ECU red plug, causing rough running, misfires, and potential ECU damage.
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