1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R853 AFL
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 21 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 96,913 miles. MOT expired on 01 Sept 2023.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 01 Sept 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 96,913 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.
R853 AFL Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 30/09/2026
- 96,913 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 24 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R853 AFL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Land Rover Defender (R853 AFL) between August 2022 and September 2026.
The record contains 1 pass and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 30 September 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (6 issues), Lighting (6 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Steering (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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 Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead to floor pan (2.1.2 (e) (i))”; “Nearside Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulk head to floor pan (2.1.2 (e) (i))”; “Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dir”.
R853 AFL Mileage History
- 19/08/202296,873 mi
- 20/08/202296,873 mi
- 30/09/202696,913 mi+40 mi
Average of roughly 10 miles per year across 3 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: Poor
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.
Vehicle & Plate History
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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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