1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · S576 BDE
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 05 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 145,144 miles. MOT expired on 28 Sept 2026. Taxed until 01 Aug 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 28 Sept 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Aug 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 145,144 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.
S576 BDE Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 30/09/2025
- 145,144 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (10 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S576 BDE 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 (S576 BDE) between September 2023 and September 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 30 September 2025 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 (10 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Brakes (1 issue), Bodywork (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 23 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 Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a bo”; “Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))”; “Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))”.
S576 BDE Mileage History
- 19/09/2023143,094 mi
- 11/09/2024144,182 mi+1,088 mi
- 11/09/2024144,182 mi
- 29/09/2025145,144 mi+962 mi
- 30/09/2025145,144 mi
Average of roughly 1,010 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: 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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