1996 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P506 DDA
1996 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Aug 1996. Recorded mileage 120,030 miles. MOT expired on 03 Oct 2023.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 03 Oct 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 120,030 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.
P506 DDA Key Findings
- 13 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 05/10/2022
- 120,030 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (12 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P506 DDA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
13 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Land Rover Defender (P506 DDA) between September 2005 and October 2022.
The record contains 9 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 05 October 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 4 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (12 issues), Brakes (7 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 22 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: “Speedometer clearly inoperative (7.8 (b) (ii))”; “Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt arm ball joint connected to axle housin”; “Offside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
P506 DDA Mileage History
- 06/09/200574,464 mi
- 30/08/200678,371 mi+3,907 mi
- 31/08/200678,371 mi
- 10/09/200785,020 mi+6,649 mi
- 12/09/200893,920 mi+8,900 mi
- 14/09/2009101,633 mi+7,713 mi
- 16/09/2009101,633 mi
- 10/09/2010108,818 mi+7,185 mi
- 09/09/2011116,792 mi+7,974 mi
- 18/09/2012118,564 mi+1,772 mi
- 05/09/2022120,022 mi+1,458 mi
- 27/09/2022120,022 mi
- 05/10/2022120,030 mi+8 mi
Average of roughly 2,668 miles per year across 13 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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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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