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Land Rover Defender

Green · Diesel · 1997 · 2,495 cc

R489 GDEMOT history

R489 GDE is a green diesel Land Rover Defender first used on 28 Aug 1997. Its MOT expired on 6 Jan 2026 and it has passed 13 of 23 MOT tests, with 140,912 miles recorded at the latest.

From DVSA MOT records, updated 7 Jan 2025.

R489 GDE green Land Rover Defender – car details, MOT history and tax status
Illustration of a Land Rover Defender, not a photo of this vehicle
MOT
Expired
On 6 Jan 2026
Mileage
140,912 mi
At MOT on 7 Jan 2025
MOT tests
23
13 passed · 10 failed
Per year
4,228 mi
Average between MOTs
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Vehicle details

Registration
R489 GDE
Registration format
Prefix (1983 to 2001)
Make
Land Rover
Model
Defender
Colour
Green
Fuel type
Diesel
Engine size
2,495 cc
Year of manufacture
1997
First used
28 Aug 1997
MOT status
MOT expired on 6 Jan 2026
Latest MOT test
7 Jan 2025 (Pass)

Mileage history

R489 GDE was last recorded at 140,912 miles on 7 Jan 2025, 15,919 miles more than at the previous MOT on 13 Apr 2023.

Odometer reading at each MOT testPassFail
Previous MOT
124,993 miles · 13 Apr 2023
Between the last two tests
15,919 miles
Average per year
4,228 miles

Recorded mileage by year

  • 2025 – 140,912 miles
  • 2023 – 124,993 miles
  • 2022 – 118,828 miles
  • 2021 – 113,197 miles
  • 2013 – 90,336 miles
  • 2012 – 88,291 miles
  • 2011 – 86,052 miles
  • 2010 – 83,271 miles
  • 2009 – 79,018 miles
  • 2008 – 74,244 miles
  • 2007 – 69,507 miles
  • 2006 – 64,160 miles
  • 2005 – 59,169 miles

What the latest MOT found

Pass140,912 milesPassed on retest after failing earlier that day
  • AdvisoryFront number plate damaged but still visible

What MOT advisories mean

Recurring issues

Items recorded at more than one earlier MOT but not at the latest one. Repeat advisories can show maintenance that was put off.

  • Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

    Advisory2 MOTs, 2013

  • Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

    Failure2 MOTs, 2010–2013

  • Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

    Failure2 MOTs, 2006–2011

  • Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

    Advisory2 MOTs, 2008–2009

Full MOT history

23 tests since 7 Sept 2005, newest first. Select a test to see every defect and advisory.

  1. Pass140,912 miles1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    6 Jan 2026
    Odometer
    140,912 miles
    Test number
    501420471499
    • AdvisoryFront number plate damaged but still visible

  2. Fail140,900 miles (+15,907)2 major1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    140,900 miles
    Test number
    813640770738
    • MajorOffside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))
    • MajorRear Prop shaft securing bolt missing (6.1.7 (a) (i))
    • AdvisoryFront number plate damaged but still visible

  3. Pass124,993 miles (+6,165)1 minor1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    12 Apr 2024
    Odometer
    124,993 miles
    Test number
    378476442755
    • MinorNearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Both front and rear ball joint covers (2.1.3 (g) (i))
    • AdvisoryOffside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

  4. Pass118,828 miles1 minor1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    4 Mar 2023
    Odometer
    118,828 miles
    Test number
    327191995668
    • MinorNearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))
    • AdvisoryBattery box deteriorated

  5. Fail118,828 miles (+5,631)1 repaired1 minor1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    118,828 miles
    Test number
    322827955979
    • Repaired at testNearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
    • MinorNearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))
    • AdvisoryBattery box deteriorated

  6. Pass113,197 miles (+22,861)
    MOT expiry
    4 Mar 2022
    Odometer
    113,197 miles
    Test number
    724439384888

    No defects or advisories recorded.

  7. Pass90,336 miles1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    26 Sept 2014
    Odometer
    90,336 miles
    Test number
    396436943267
    • AdvisoryNearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

  8. Fail90,336 miles (+2,045)5 failures1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    90,336 miles
    Test number
    728551843241
    • FailureNearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
    • FailureOffside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    • FailureOffside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)
    • FailureOffside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
    • FailureParking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)
    • AdvisoryNearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

  9. Pass88,291 miles (+12)
    MOT expiry
    26 Sept 2013
    Odometer
    88,291 miles
    Test number
    338785862219

    No defects or advisories recorded.

  10. Fail88,279 miles (+2,227)6 failures
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    88,279 miles
    Test number
    406697742265
    • FailureExhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
    • FailureNearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)
    • FailureOffside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
    • FailureOffside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)
    • FailureOffside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)
    • FailureRear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

  11. Pass86,052 miles1 note
    MOT expiry
    26 Sept 2012
    Odometer
    86,052 miles
    Test number
    368720171218
    • NoteSome corrosion to chassis at rear not prescibed area and all of rear half of chassis is very rusty

  12. Fail86,052 miles (+2,781)6 failures1 advisory1 note
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    86,052 miles
    Test number
    748459061288
    • FailureFront registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)
    • FailureNearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
    • FailureOffside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)
    • FailureOffside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
    • FailureOffside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
    • FailureRear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)
    • AdvisoryService brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)
    • NoteSome corrosion to chassis at rear not prescibed area and all of rear half of chassis is very rusty

  13. Pass83,271 miles
    MOT expiry
    10 Sept 2011
    Odometer
    83,271 miles
    Test number
    184371250243

    No defects or advisories recorded.

  14. Fail83,271 miles (+4,253)7 failures
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    83,271 miles
    Test number
    323756740454
    • FailureBrake pedal has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)
    • FailureNearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    • FailureNearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    • FailureOffside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    • FailureOffside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)
    • FailurePower steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)
    • FailureVehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

  15. Pass79,018 miles2 advisories1 note
    MOT expiry
    10 Sept 2010
    Odometer
    79,018 miles
    Test number
    802374859224
    • AdvisoryOffside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
    • AdvisoryOffside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)
    • NoteSome corrosion to metal brake pipes nearside rear and both front

  16. Fail78,996 miles (+4,752)2 failures2 advisories1 note
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    78,996 miles
    Test number
    502534159297
    • FailureNearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)
    • FailureWindscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
    • AdvisoryOffside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
    • AdvisoryOffside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)
    • NoteSome corrosion to metal brake pipes nearside rear and both front

  17. Pass74,244 miles1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    6 Sept 2009
    Odometer
    74,244 miles
    Test number
    610258548269
    • AdvisoryOffside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

  18. Fail74,244 miles (+4,737)3 failures1 advisory
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    74,244 miles
    Test number
    981158848240
    • FailureOffside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)
    • FailureOffside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    • FailureOffside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)
    • AdvisoryOffside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

  19. Pass69,507 miles (+5,347)
    MOT expiry
    6 Sept 2008
    Odometer
    69,507 miles
    Test number
    110183647212

    No defects or advisories recorded.

  20. Pass64,160 miles
    MOT expiry
    6 Sept 2007
    Odometer
    64,160 miles
    Test number
    654022446270

    No defects or advisories recorded.

  21. Fail64,160 miles (+4,991)4 failures
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    64,160 miles
    Test number
    673722146260
    • FailureBrake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    • FailureOffside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)
    • FailureOffside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)
    • FailureRear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

  22. Pass59,169 miles
    MOT expiry
    6 Sept 2006
    Odometer
    59,169 miles
    Test number
    712350155243

    No defects or advisories recorded.

  23. Fail59,169 miles2 failures
    MOT expiry
    No new certificate
    Odometer
    59,169 miles
    Test number
    340930055474
    • FailureHorn not working (1.6.2a)
    • FailureNearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Questions about R489 GDE

Does R489 GDE currently have a valid MOT?
No. The MOT on R489 GDE expired on 6 Jan 2026, according to DVSA records.
When is the MOT due on R489 GDE?
The MOT on R489 GDE expired on 6 Jan 2026. It can only be driven to a pre-booked MOT test or to repairs needed to pass one.
What mileage has R489 GDE done?
R489 GDE was recorded at 140,912 miles at its MOT on 7 Jan 2025, an average of 4,228 miles a year.
Has R489 GDE ever failed its MOT?
Yes. R489 GDE has failed 10 of its 23 MOT tests, most recently on 7 Jan 2025.
Has the mileage on R489 GDE ever gone down?
No. The odometer reading went up or stayed the same at every MOT test on record. Service records are still worth checking.
What did the latest MOT on R489 GDE find?
R489 GDE passed its latest MOT on 7 Jan 2025 with 1 advisory: front number plate damaged but still visible.

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Contains DVSA MOT history data, public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Driver Codes is not affiliated with DVSA or DVLA.