1997 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R574 BDL
1997 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 31 Oct 1997. Recorded mileage 161,140 miles. MOT valid until 20 Jan 2027. Taxed until 01 Jul 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20 Jan 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jul 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 161,140 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.
R574 BDL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 20/01/2026
- 161,140 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R574 BDL 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 (R574 BDL) between December 2022 and January 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 20 January 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
R574 BDL Mileage History
- 09/12/2022154,257 mi
- 05/12/2023156,346 mi+2,089 mi
- 17/01/2025158,245 mi+1,899 mi
- 21/01/2025158,254 mi+9 mi
- 20/01/2026161,140 mi+2,886 mi
Average of roughly 2,209 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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.
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (R574 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as R574BDL.
JEEP
CHEROKEE
SUZUKI
GS125
MERCEDES
SLK
FORD
TRANSIT
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
KAWASAKI
ZX6R
PEUGEOT
BOXER
PEUGEOT
BOXER
NISSAN
MICRA
YAMAHA
FZS600
HONDA
PRELUDE
AUDI
A4
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.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.