1996 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P782 EHC
1996 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 24 Dec 1996. Recorded mileage 188,132 miles. MOT expired on 12 May 2026. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 12 May 2026
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 188,132 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.
P782 EHC Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 27/05/2026
- 188,132 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P782 EHC 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 (P782 EHC) between May 2022 and May 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 27 May 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Steering (1 issue), Bodywork (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: “Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Mu”; “Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))”.
P782 EHC Mileage History
- 06/05/2022176,682 mi
- 04/05/2023179,494 mi+2,812 mi
- 30/04/2024182,962 mi+3,468 mi
- 14/05/2025185,890 mi+2,928 mi
- 27/05/2026188,132 mi+2,242 mi
Average of roughly 2,822 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: 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.
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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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