2022 Land Rover Defender XS Edition D Mhev A 3.0L Diesel · KA20 MOR

An exceptionally clean DVSA record defines this Defender, with the single recorded test on 29 August 2025 returning a Pass and no advisories or defects noted at all. That blank sheet at the four-year point is encouraging, particularly given the Land Rover Defender's known susceptibility to suspension and underbody corrosion issues in earlier vintages, though it is worth bearing in mind that the first MOT is not legally required until the vehicle reaches three years of age, so only one mandatory test cycle is on file. The absence of any flagged component wear, even at an advisory level, suggests the vehicle was presented in sound roadworthy condition at its debut examination, with no immediate mechanical concerns raised by the testing station. The recorded mileage of 56,874 miles against a four-year build equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 14,200 miles, which sits firmly in the upper bracket for a vehicle of this age and represents significant sustained use. Such a workload places corresponding demand on the Defender's drivetrain, particularly the mild-hybrid diesel powertrain, the permanent four-wheel-drive transfer case, and the air suspension system that many derivatives of this generation employ. Higher-than-average mileage typically accelerates wear on consumables such as brake discs and pads, driveshaft and propshaft universal joints, and the rubber and polyurethane bushes throughout the front and rear suspension links. With only one MOT test on record, there is no longitudinal data to compare wear progression year-on-year, but the cumulative mileage itself warrants closer physical inspection of items that the test may not have fully interrogated, such as suspension arm condition, rear trailing arm bushes, and any early signs of exhaust or underbody corrosion. For a prospective buyer, the priority during a physical inspection should be a close examination of the air suspension struts and compressor, as these are known wear items on the Defender platform and can present with audible hissing, uneven ride height, or a sagging rear when the vehicle is left standing. On a test drive, listen for clonks or thuds from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links or upper wishbone bushes, and pay attention to any vibration or roughness through the steering wheel that could indicate track rod or swivel hub wear. Given the high mileage, brake pedal feel should be assessed for sponginess or excessive travel, which could point to worn caliper slide pins or stretched handbrake cables, and a thorough check of the wheels for uneven tyre wear patterns would help reveal any underlying alignment or suspension geometry issues that the MOT would not have flagged as a failure. Equally important is a careful examination of the underbody, paying particular attention to the chassis rails, rear cross-member, and any aluminium subframe components for signs of corrosion or damage, as the Defender's box-section chassis can trap dirt and moisture even when road salt exposure has been modest. The engine bay should be inspected for any signs of oil seepage from the MHEV system components, the timing chain area, and the turbocharger oil feed lines, while a cold start from stone cold will reveal any inherent diesel timing chain rattle or injector tick. Finally, verify that all the mild-hybrid system functions behave as expected, including the auto stop-start operation and the instrument cluster readouts for battery state, as any warning lights here would indicate issues not captured by the standard MOT test but potentially costly to rectify on this platform.