1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · R897 BYG
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 16 Mar 1998. Recorded mileage 8,122 miles. MOT expired on 14 Mar 2024. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 14 Mar 2024
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 8,122 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.
R897 BYG Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 14/03/2024
- 8,122 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring bodywork & corrosion items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R897 BYG 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 (R897 BYG) between March 2022 and March 2024.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 14 March 2024 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Bodywork (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced hole in”; “Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced HOLE I”; “Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))”.
R897 BYG Mileage History
- 11/03/20227,180 mi
- 10/03/20238,033 mi+853 mi
- 14/03/20248,122 mi+89 mi
Average of roughly 469 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: 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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