1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · S478 CTA
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 22 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 149,173 miles. MOT valid until 06 Apr 2027. Taxed until 01 Feb 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 06 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Feb 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 149,173 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.
S478 CTA Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/04/2026
- 149,173 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S478 CTA 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 1998 Land Rover Defender (S478 CTA) between March 2024 and April 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 08 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (9 issues), Tyres (5 issues), Steering (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 24 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 Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis multiple places (6.1.6 (i) (i”; “Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead (1.1.21 (e) (i))”; “Offside Front Driver's seat moving inadvertently (6.2.5 (b) (ii))”.
S478 CTA Mileage History
- 19/03/2024137,442 mi
- 21/03/2025142,404 mi+4,962 mi
- 26/03/2025142,552 mi+148 mi
- 30/03/2026149,126 mi+6,574 mi
- 08/04/2026149,173 mi+47 mi
Average of roughly 5,712 miles per year across 5 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: 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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