1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R833 BJA
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 10 Feb 1998. Recorded mileage 209,651 miles. MOT expired on 28 Feb 2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 28 Feb 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 209,651 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.
R833 BJA Key Findings
- 25 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 01/03/2025
- 209,651 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 8 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (14 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R833 BJA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
25 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Land Rover Defender (R833 BJA) between January 2006 and March 2025.
The record contains 17 passes and 8 failures.
The most recent test on 01 March 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 8 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (14 issues), Suspension (12 issues), Tyres (10 issues), Lighting (10 issues), Steering (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 47 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: “Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt axle (5.3.4 (b) (ii”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn hockey stick - front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn hockey stick - front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
R833 BJA Mileage History
- 12/01/2006161,161 mi
- 12/01/2006161,162 mi+1 mi
- 08/01/2007169,017 mi+7,855 mi
- 08/01/2007169,017 mi
- 17/01/2008178,131 mi+9,114 mi
- 24/01/2008178,164 mi+33 mi
- 03/06/2009180,838 mi+2,674 mi
- 17/05/2010185,994 mi+5,156 mi
- 26/05/2011189,663 mi+3,669 mi
- 30/06/2011189,734 mi+71 mi
- 16/07/2012195,878 mi+6,144 mi
- 15/07/2013199,667 mi+3,789 mi
- 15/07/2013199,667 mi
- 01/08/2014202,984 mi+3,317 mi
- 04/08/2014202,984 mi
- 07/08/2015205,441 mi+2,457 mi
- 26/07/2016205,945 mi+504 mi
- 29/07/2016205,949 mi+4 mi
- 13/03/2019207,135 mi+1,186 mi
- 20/03/2020208,347 mi+1,212 mi
- 24/03/2022208,357 mi+10 mi
- 21/04/2023208,835 mi+478 mi
- 09/04/2024209,642 mi+807 mi
- 15/04/2024209,642 mi
- 01/03/2025209,651 mi+9 mi
Average of roughly 2,534 miles per year across 25 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: 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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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 1998 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.
- TD5 Injector Harness Oil MigrationSerious
Oil seeps along the injector wiring harness into the ECU red plug, causing rough running, misfires, and potential ECU damage.
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