1998 Land Rover Defender 6.5L Diesel · S490 CTA
1998 Land Rover Defender (6.5L, diesel). First registered 01 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 71,542 miles. MOT valid until 07 Jan 2027. Taxed until 01 Jan 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 07 Jan 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jan 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 71,542 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 6.5L
- 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.
S490 CTA Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/01/2026
- 71,542 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (11 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S490 CTA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Land Rover Defender (S490 CTA) between December 2025 and January 2026.
The record contains 2 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 08 January 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: Tyres (11 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Windscreen (1 issue), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 15 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 Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer”; “Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))”; “Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))”.
S490 CTA Mileage History
- 02/12/202571,499 mi
- 04/12/202571,499 mi
- 05/01/202671,542 mi+43 mi
- 08/01/202671,542 mi
Average of roughly 422 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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: 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.
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (S490 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as S490CTA.
MAZDA
MX-5
KAWASAKI
ZX-9R
CHEVROLET
CAMARO
TOYOTA
COROLLA
MERCEDES-BENZ
ML
BMW
3 SERIES
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
TOYOTA
AVENSIS
YAMAHA
YZF-R1
PORSCHE
911
BMW
523
SUZUKI
GSF600
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.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.