1996 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P52 DHH
1996 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/11/1996. Recorded mileage 154,724 miles. MOT status: Expired.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 23/01/2023
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (27/01/2022)
- Recorded Mileage
- 154,724 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
P52 DHH Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 24/01/2022
- 154,724 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
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
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Identification & Status
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P52 DHH Mileage History
- 19/01/2022154,718 mi
- 24/01/2022154,724 mi+6 mi
Average of roughly 439 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
P52 DHH MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Land Rover Defender (P52 DHH) between January 2022 and January 2022.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 24 January 2022 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 (6 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))”; “Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))”; “Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Approach this 1996 Land Rover Defender with caution due to a history of structural corrosion failures and repeated lighting defects. It is only advisable if you are prepared for potentially significant chassis repair work and can verify the extent of any remaining rot.
Given the 2018 MOT failures for excessive corrosion on the nearside front and rear chassis legs and nearside rear spring mounting, you should request evidence of professional welding repairs and confirm these areas were properly addressed before the 2022 pass. The 2021 failure also noted offside rear spring top mounting area excessively corroded, so ask the seller for photos or invoices relating to suspension mount repairs. Service history is essential on a 30-year-old Defender; without it, budget for unknown maintenance on the 2495cc diesel engine and drivetrain.
As a 1996 diesel Defender, this vehicle will fall into a low historic road tax band but insurance groups for classic Land Rovers vary, often costing more due to parts scarcity and restoration values. Fuel economy on the 2.5-litre diesel is modest by modern standards, typically 25-30 mpg, and diesel prices should be factored accordingly. Routine maintenance on a 1996 model is owner-dependent; annual running costs including fuel, tax, insurance and basic upkeep are estimated at £1,200-£1,600 given age-related part replacements.
Inspect the chassis legs and spring mounting areas closely, as the 2018 MOT recorded excessive corrosion adversely affecting braking or steering on nearside front and rear sections, and the 2021 test found offside rear spring top mounting excessively corroded. Check all lighting, since the 2022 failure listed nearside and offside headlamp aim and compatibility faults plus a rear position lamp and registration plate lamp failure, and the 2021 test also showed headlamp incompatibility. Verify the windscreen washer functions and look for oil leaks noted in the 2018 pass and fail records, as these indicate long-standing minor issues.
This white 1996 Land Rover Defender (P52DHH) is a 2.5-litre diesel with 154,724 miles recorded at its last MOT in January 2022. MOT history shows two failures in 2018 for excessive chassis corrosion and further failures in 2021 and 2022 for lighting and suspension corrosion issues, though it passed in 2022 with no defects noted. The vehicle's age and recorded structural concerns mean its condition is heavily dependent on the quality of any past repairs.
No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Land Rover Defender, so assessment relies solely on this vehicle's individual history showing corrosion as the main recorded weakness.
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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Batch Registration Neighbors (P52D Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as P52DHH.