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A23 TRG

1987 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Nov 2026
Tests20 (13 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate65%

Mileage

159,014 mi
Last recorded159,014 miles
Recorded on13 Nov 2025
Typical for 1987 Land Rover Defender131,673 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA23 TRG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1987
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

13 pass 7 fail
Pass 13 Nov 2025 159,014 miles

Extensive modifications carried out to suspension

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear Bump stops missing

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

Pass 30 Nov 2024 158,116 miles

Coolant leak ()

Extensive modifications carried out to suspension

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

both rear bump stops missing

Pass 17 Nov 2023 155,521 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive front and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

extensive modifications carried out to suspension

o/s/r and n/s/r bump stops missing

Fail 15 Nov 2023 155,505 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested due to half shaft bolts (1.2.1 (g))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover missing (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis leg (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers insecurely attached lower mount loose (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Halfshaft likely to become detached all bolts loose (6.1.7 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Halfshaft likely to become detached all bolts loose (6.1.7 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive front and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

extensive modifications carried out to suspension

o/s/r and n/s/r bump stops missing

Pass 7 Oct 2022 154,812 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2021 154,707 miles

extensive modifications carried out to suspension .

Fail 14 Sep 2021 154,707 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

extensive modifications carried out to suspension .

Pass 11 Jun 2020 154,589 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2018 154,574 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2018 154,571 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.2.1 (b))

Exhaust emissions test aborted because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Exhaust on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour (8.2.2.2 (d))

Nearside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Aug 2017 154,260 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2016 153,151 miles
Pass 5 May 2015 151,840 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 5 May 2015 151,818 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 17 Feb 2011 151,775 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively damaged (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

battery tray corroded

Pass 4 Aug 2008 147,238 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 3 Aug 2007 143,813 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2007 143,806 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Hazard warning switch missing (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 7 Dec 2005 142,701 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2005 142,701 miles

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

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A23 TRG is a 1987 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65%.

Across all 1987 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.3% with a typical mileage of 131,673 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A23 TRG, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 39 years old, this Land Rover Defender is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A23 TRG?

You can check the full history of A23 TRG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A23 TRG registered?

A23 TRG is a 1987 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 27 March 1987.

Is A23 TRG safe to buy?

The MOT history for A23 TRG shows 20 tests with a 65% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A23 TRG have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A23 TRG. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.