2004 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · VN54 ADU
2004 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 30 Sept 2004. Recorded mileage 128,878 miles. MOT valid until 06 Nov 2027. Taxed until 01 Sept 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 06 Nov 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Sept 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 128,878 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.
VN54 ADU Key Findings
- 25 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 30/10/2026
- 128,878 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (10 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
VN54 ADU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
25 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Land Rover Defender (VN54 ADU) between September 2007 and October 2026.
The record contains 20 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 30 October 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 5 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (10 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 21 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: “Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2”; “Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))”; “Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded o/s and n/s (1.1.11 (c))”.
VN54 ADU Mileage History
- 19/09/200714,331 mi
- 02/10/200819,345 mi+5,014 mi
- 06/10/200924,868 mi+5,523 mi
- 04/10/201030,785 mi+5,917 mi
- 06/10/201137,276 mi+6,491 mi
- 06/10/201137,285 mi+9 mi
- 05/10/201244,006 mi+6,721 mi
- 08/10/201350,894 mi+6,888 mi
- 10/10/201350,942 mi+48 mi
- 17/10/2014586,669 mi+535,727 mi
- 23/10/2015666,535 mi+79,866 mi
- 02/11/201673,542 mi-592,993 mi
- 31/10/2017796,898 mi+723,356 mi
- 30/10/201885,396 mi-711,502 mi
- 31/10/201991,622 mi+6,226 mi
- 28/10/202097,482 mi+5,860 mi
- 02/11/2021102,841 mi+5,359 mi
- 07/11/2022108,608 mi+5,767 mi
- 13/10/2023113,769 mi+5,161 mi
- 16/10/2023113,786 mi+17 mi
- 29/10/2024118,964 mi+5,178 mi
- 21/10/2025123,615 mi+4,651 mi
- 21/10/2025123,615 mi
- 26/10/2026128,750 mi+5,135 mi
- 30/10/2026128,878 mi+128 mi
Average of roughly 5,993 miles per year across 25 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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: 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.
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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 2004 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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