2004 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · PY53 NUK

The 16 February 2026 MOT at 98,442 miles resulted in a pass, yet the record reveals a worsening maintenance trend with repeated coil spring corrosion, tyre perishing and brake component wear. The 2025 test also passed despite similar defects, while the 2024 test showed no recorded faults, indicating intermittent care and a clear deterioration in condition over the past two years. At 22 years old, the Defender has covered roughly 14,139 miles since its 2016 MOT, averaging about 1,400 miles per year, which is higher than the low‑usage figure of 4,475 miles per year but still moderate; the steady increments from 2016 to 2026, with a notable 13‑month interval without recorded defects between January 2024 and February 2025, suggest periods of limited use interspersed with regular driving. A buyer should therefore examine the coil springs for severe corrosion, inspect the condition of the suspension bushes and swivel pins, and verify that the rear wheel bearings show no excessive play, as the 2026 test flagged slight play on the near side rear bearing and worn lower axle bushes. The brake system requires close scrutiny: the off‑side front brake pipe showed early weeping in 2025, and all four brake discs exhibited pitting and corrosion, while the tyres display perishing cracks and the direction indicators are discoloured, indicating possible moisture ingress and the need for replacement of worn components.