2002 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · PJ51 MXB
2002 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 15 Jan 2002. Recorded mileage 123,720 miles. MOT valid until 12 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 12 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 123,720 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.
PJ51 MXB Key Findings
- 31 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 13/03/2026
- 123,720 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 10 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (16 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
PJ51 MXB MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
31 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Land Rover Defender (PJ51 MXB) between December 2005 and March 2026.
The record contains 21 passes and 10 failures.
The most recent test on 13 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 10 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (16 issues), Lighting (13 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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: “Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))”; “Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)”; “Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)”.
PJ51 MXB Mileage History
- 28/12/200525,463 mi
- 18/12/200632,461 mi+6,998 mi
- 18/12/200632,461 mi
- 19/12/200738,250 mi+5,789 mi
- 19/12/200738,250 mi
- 23/12/200844,169 mi+5,919 mi
- 05/01/201048,251 mi+4,082 mi
- 11/01/201048,273 mi+22 mi
- 06/01/201155,669 mi+7,396 mi
- 12/01/201155,669 mi
- 21/12/2011612,374 mi+556,705 mi
- 28/01/201368,796 mi-543,578 mi
- 30/01/201368,799 mi+3 mi
- 23/01/201474,881 mi+6,082 mi
- 30/01/201582,390 mi+7,509 mi
- 30/01/201582,390 mi
- 08/04/201691,264 mi+8,874 mi
- 08/04/201691,264 mi
- 28/04/201799,530 mi+8,266 mi
- 28/04/201799,530 mi
- 03/04/2018103,637 mi+4,107 mi
- 03/04/2018103,640 mi+3 mi
- 17/05/2019105,400 mi+1,760 mi
- 17/05/2019105,400 mi
- 10/09/2020110,583 mi+5,183 mi
- 04/03/2021111,163 mi+580 mi
- 07/02/2022113,162 mi+1,999 mi
- 16/02/2023114,541 mi+1,379 mi
- 09/03/2024119,932 mi+5,391 mi
- 23/04/2025121,543 mi+1,611 mi
- 13/03/2026123,720 mi+2,177 mi
Average of roughly 4,863 miles per year across 31 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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: 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.
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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 2002 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.
- TD5 Injector Harness Oil MigrationSerious
Oil seeps along the injector wiring harness into the ECU red plug, causing rough running, misfires, and potential ECU damage.
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