1994 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · L978 ADG
1994 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Apr 1994. Recorded mileage 164,286 miles. MOT valid until 28 Nov 2026. Taxed until 01 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1994 · Stanmore (Wimbledon)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 28 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Nov 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 164,286 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.
L978 ADG Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 24/11/2025
- 164,286 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring bodywork & corrosion items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
L978 ADG 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 1994 Land Rover Defender (L978 ADG) between November 2022 and November 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 24 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Bodywork (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dir”; “Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced at cen”; “Nearside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chass”.
L978 ADG Mileage History
- 14/11/2022159,157 mi
- 15/11/2023160,706 mi+1,549 mi
- 20/11/2023160,708 mi+2 mi
- 29/11/2024162,605 mi+1,897 mi
- 24/11/2025164,286 mi+1,681 mi
Average of roughly 1,694 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: 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.
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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 1994 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.
- Electrical Gremlins and Wiring DeteriorationModerate
Corroded bulkhead earthing points and deteriorating wiring harnesses cause intermittent electrical faults including flickering lights, false warnings, and central locking failures.
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