1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R438 BCV
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/10/1997. Recorded mileage 9,062 miles. MOT valid until 21/04/2027. Taxed until 01/07/2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- MOT Status
- Valid until 21/04/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/07/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 9,062 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 1997
- Engine
- 2495cc
R438 BCV Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/04/2026
- 9,062 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
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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R438 BCV Mileage History
- 18/01/2023948 mi
- 23/04/20243,270 mi+2,322 mi
- 23/04/20256,309 mi+3,039 mi
- 20/04/20269,053 mi+2,744 mi
- 21/04/20269,062 mi+9 mi
Average of roughly 2,492 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
R438 BCV 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 (R438 BCV) between January 2023 and April 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 21 April 2026 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: Suspension (5 issues), Brakes (1 issue), Steering (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 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: “Emissions unable to be completed hole in rear exhaust section (8.2.2.2 (e))”.
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