1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R150 BAH
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 29 Oct 1997. Recorded mileage 117,544 miles. MOT valid until 08 Dec 2026. Taxed until 01 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 08 Dec 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 May 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 117,544 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.
R150 BAH Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 09/12/2025
- 117,544 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (3 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R150 BAH 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 (R150 BAH) between October 2022 and December 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 09 December 2025 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 (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is 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 Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength m”; “Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting x-member (6.1.6 (i) (i))”; “Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
R150 BAH Mileage History
- 18/10/2022114,043 mi
- 29/09/2023115,460 mi+1,417 mi
- 17/10/2024116,856 mi+1,396 mi
- 01/12/2025117,527 mi+671 mi
- 09/12/2025117,544 mi+17 mi
Average of roughly 1,114 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: 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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While the
The primary focus for any buyer must be the quality of the repairs carried out in December 2025. Request detailed invoices and, if possible, photographic evidence of the welding performed on the nearside middle chassis (top and underside) and the offside rear x-member. It is vital to ensure these were permanent structural repairs rather than superficial patches.
Negotiate based on the long-term implications of chassis corrosion. Even with a pass, the presence of 'excessive corrosion' in the vehicle's history suggests a susceptibility to rust that will require ongoing monitoring and preventative treatment to avoid future structural failures.
The 2.5L diesel engine is mechanically simple but lacks the efficiency of modern units, leading to higher fuel expenditure. Insurance and tax will be reflective of a 1997 utility vehicle, and maintenance costs for this model are typically higher than average due to the frequency of required bushing, seal, and rust-proofing work.
Given the age and the specific history of this vehicle, a dedicated budget for annual underbody protection and rust prevention is essential. Typical annual running costs for a Defender of this vintage are significant.
Conduct a thorough physical inspection of the areas highlighted in the 2025 MOT failure: the nearside middle chassis (both top and underside) and the offside rear structure within 30cm of the towbar mounting. Look for evidence of professional welding and check for any fresh underseal that may be masking remaining corrosion.
Additionally, check the operation of all position lamps and the registration plate lamp, as these were recent failure points. In line with model aggregate data, inspect the brake pipes for signs of corrosion and ensure the headlamps are fully functional.
This 1997 Green Land Rover Defender, powered by a 2495cc diesel engine, has recorded 117,544 miles. Its MOT history was relatively clean until December 2025, when it failed on several lighting faults and severe structural corrosion in the middle chassis and rear towbar area. These issues were rectified prior to a pass on 2025-12-09.
The Defender has an average MOT pass rate of 78.1%, with corrosion identified as one of the top three reasons for failure across the model range.
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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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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