1996 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · N454 ARW
1996 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 07 Jun 1996. Recorded mileage 103,876 miles. MOT expired on 18 Jan 2025. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 18 Jan 2025
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 103,876 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.
N454 ARW Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 15/01/2025
- 103,876 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 16 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
N454 ARW 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 1996 Land Rover Defender (N454 ARW) between January 2023 and January 2025.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 15 January 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (8 issues), Lighting (6 issues), Steering (3 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Bodywork (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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: “Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounti”; “Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. central (6.2.6 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”.
N454 ARW Mileage History
- 10/01/2023101,669 mi
- 13/01/2023101,672 mi+3 mi
- 16/01/2024102,618 mi+946 mi
- 16/01/2024102,619 mi+1 mi
- 15/01/2025103,876 mi+1,257 mi
Average of roughly 1,095 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: Poor
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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DISCOVERY
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 1996 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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