2005 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · RF55 DHV
2005 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 01/11/2005. Recorded mileage 196,195 miles. MOT valid until 27/11/2026. Taxed until 01/12/2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2005 · Reading
- MOT Status
- Valid until 27/11/2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/12/2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 196,195 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 2005
- Engine
- 2495cc
RF55 DHV Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 28/11/2025
- 196,195 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (7 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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
RF55 DHV Mileage History
- 03/12/2021185,885 mi
- 24/11/2023191,133 mi+5,248 mi
- 27/11/2023191,149 mi+16 mi
- 28/11/2024193,936 mi+2,787 mi
- 28/11/2025196,195 mi+2,259 mi
Average of roughly 2,586 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
RF55 DHV 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 2005 Land Rover Defender (RF55 DHV) between December 2021 and November 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 28 November 2025 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: Brakes (7 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Bodywork (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 16 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: “Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))”; “Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A solid option for a high-mileage utility vehicle, provided the buyer is comfortable with its extensive usage. The recent MOT history shows a consistent passing trend without defects recorded in the last three years.
Given the high mileage of nearly 200,000 miles, your primary focus should be on the mechanical integrity of the 2.5L diesel engine and the drivetrain. While the MOT history is currently clean, these vehicles are often used for heavy-duty tasks, so you should request any available service records to supplement the MOT data.
Negotiate based on the age and mileage; while the recent MOTs are positive, a vehicle of this age and distance will naturally require more frequent component replacements. Check the underside for signs of heavy use, as the MOT records do not provide information on chassis corrosion or structural health beyond what causes a failure.
Running a 2495cc diesel Defender involves significant costs compared to a standard passenger car. Expect higher fuel consumption due to its aerodynamic profile and weight, and insurance groups for Land Rovers are typically higher than average.
Maintenance costs for this model can fluctuate significantly depending on whether you are performing routine servicing or addressing major mechanical repairs. Budget for higher-than-average annual maintenance to account for the wear and tear associated with a vehicle that has travelled nearly 200,000 miles.
When inspecting this specific silver Defender, pay close attention to the braking system. Although no defects were recorded in the most recent tests, the aggregate data for this model identifies brake pipes, discs, and headlamps as common MOT failure points.
Because the vehicle has covered 196,195 miles, you should also inspect the suspension components and steering linkages. While the 2023 failure was recorded without specific defect details in this summary, the high mileage suggests that wear-and-tear items like bushings and dampers should be thoroughly checked.
This 2005 Land Rover Defender, finished in Silver, has covered 196,195 miles as of its last MOT in November 2025. While the mileage is significant, the vehicle has successfully passed its last three annual inspections without any recorded defects. The MOT history shows one failure in late 2023, but the subsequent years have been clean.
Aggregate data from over 125,000 vehicles shows a 78% MOT pass rate for this model, with common failures related to brakes and lighting.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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