1996 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P443 CVJ
1996 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/10/1996. Recorded mileage 148,891 miles. MOT valid until 13/06/2027. Taxed until 01/11/2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 13/06/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/11/2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 148,891 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 1996
- Engine
- 2495cc
P443 CVJ Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 11/06/2026
- 148,891 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (4 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
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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P443 CVJ Mileage History
- 15/06/2024147,239 mi
- 10/06/2025148,374 mi+1,135 mi
- 13/06/2025148,338 mi-36 mi
- 11/06/2026148,891 mi+553 mi
Average of roughly 831 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
P443 CVJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Land Rover Defender (P443 CVJ) between June 2024 and June 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 11 June 2026 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: Lighting (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 3 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 Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))”; “Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A viable example of a classic Defender w
Focus on the service history of the 2495cc diesel engine to ensure regular oil and filter changes. Check for evidence of the repairs made in June 2025, specifically the power steering pump and box seepage, to ensure these issues have been fully resolved rather than temporarily patched.
Given the vehicle's age, you should negotiate based on the upcoming maintenance requirements. Look for a detailed record of any previous chassis treatments or rust-proofing, as this significantly impacts the long-term viability of a 1996 model.
Expect higher fuel consumption and emissions typical of a 1990s 2.5L diesel engine. While the tax band for a 1996 vehicle is generally predictable, insurance groups for classic 4x4s can vary based on usage and modifications.
Maintenance costs for a 30-year-old Defender are typically higher than modern vehicles due to the frequency of wear-and-tear parts replacement. Budget for regular lubrication of chassis points and potential replacements of rubber bushings and seals.
Prioritise a thorough inspection for corrosion, particularly on the chassis and bulkheads, as corrosion is one of the top failure reasons for Defenders across 126,031 analysed vehicles. Use a torch and mirror to check areas prone to rust.
Inspect the steering linkage and power steering components, referencing the seepage and dust cover issues noted in the 2025 MOT. Additionally, check the exhaust system for any signs of the leak recorded in June 2025 and verify that all lighting, including the stop and fog lamps, is functioning correctly.
This 1996 blue diesel Defender has recorded 148,891 miles. The MOT history shows a clean pass in June 2026, following a 2025 failure that required repairs to the exhaust, lighting, and power steering components. With an average pass rate of 78.1% for the model, this vehicle's recent record is relatively stable.
The Defender has an average MOT pass rate of 78.1%, with corrosion and brake pipe failures being common across the model range.
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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