1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · P946 DAO
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 11 Feb 1997. Recorded mileage 167,153 miles. MOT valid until 12 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 12 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 167,153 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.
P946 DAO Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 13/11/2025
- 167,153 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P946 DAO 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 1997 Land Rover Defender (P946 DAO) between September 2023 and November 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 13 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Brakes (1 issue), Bodywork (1 issue), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))”; “Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))”; “Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play front (2.1.3 (b) (i))”.
P946 DAO Mileage History
- 16/09/2023164,614 mi
- 19/10/2023164,620 mi+6 mi
- 02/11/2024166,054 mi+1,434 mi
- 04/11/2024166,063 mi+9 mi
- 13/11/2025167,153 mi+1,090 mi
Average of roughly 1,175 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
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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: 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 1997 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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