1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · S538 CRE
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 30 Nov 1998. Recorded mileage 85,110 miles. MOT valid until 05 Aug 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 05 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 85,110 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.
S538 CRE Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 27/07/2026
- 85,110 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (14 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S538 CRE 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 (S538 CRE) between August 2024 and July 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 27 July 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 (14 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 26 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: “Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))”; “Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))”.
S538 CRE Mileage History
- 07/08/202482,768 mi
- 22/07/202584,054 mi+1,286 mi
- 28/07/202584,055 mi+1 mi
- 14/07/202685,108 mi+1,053 mi
- 27/07/202685,110 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 1,190 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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