1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R435 BDU
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 14 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 257,669 miles. MOT expired on 27 Nov 2024.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 27 Nov 2024
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Aug 2024)
- Recorded Mileage
- 257,669 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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R435 BDU Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 17/06/2025
- 257,669 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 26 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring bodywork & corrosion items (13 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R435 BDU 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 1998 Land Rover Defender (R435 BDU) between February 2022 and June 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 17 June 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Bodywork (13 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Brakes (5 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 19 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: “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural streng”; “Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”; “Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength A fra”.
R435 BDU Mileage History
- 24/02/2022255,556 mi
- 08/11/2022256,029 mi+473 mi
- 24/11/2023257,580 mi+1,551 mi
- 28/11/2023257,851 mi+271 mi
- 17/06/2025257,669 mi-182 mi
Average of roughly 638 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
Technical Specifications
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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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