1998 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · TEF 117R
1998 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 16 Oct 1998. Recorded mileage 121,785 miles. MOT expired on 16 Jul 2025.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 1998
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 16 Jul 2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 121,785 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.
TEF 117R Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/07/2024
- 121,785 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (3 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
TEF 117R 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 (TEF 117R) between May 2022 and July 2024.
The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 18 July 2024 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: Suspension (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 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: “Front Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (a) (i))”; “Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn a frame ball joint (5.1.2 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”.
TEF 117R Mileage History
- 31/05/2022115,457 mi
- 01/06/2022115,472 mi+15 mi
- 17/06/2023118,601 mi+3,129 mi
- 18/07/2024121,785 mi+3,184 mi
Average of roughly 2,967 miles per year across 4 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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