CarVerify

Free Car Check

A271 SAM

1993 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Sep 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

90,054 mi
Last recorded90,054 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2025
Typical for 1993 Land Rover Defender118,574 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationA271 SAM
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1993
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 90,054 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Aug 2025 90,002 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis section holed and corroded by the rear torsion arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis section holed and corroded by the rear torsion arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2024 86,104 miles

Rear ladder partially covering the number plate

Central Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced nearside (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases tail pipe deteriorated (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff pinion seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Aug 2023 82,250 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material covered in grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Rear number plate slightly obstructed by ladder

Pass 18 Aug 2022 77,471 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced corroded/holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outriggers corroded and holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear cross member corroded and holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Wheel bearing has slight play all (5.1.3 (a) (i))

rear number plate slightly obstructed by ladder

Pass 10 Sep 2021 73,739 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff pinion seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Wheel bearing has slight play all bearings (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Sep 2020 69,484 miles

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both rear , top bushes (5.3.2 (c))

engine oil leaks

fuel lift pump damp

fuel tank damp

steering box damp

Pass 13 Sep 2019 65,226 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tread 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Sep 2019 65,225 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded flexi to caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis/crossmember corroded nearside and offside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tread 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Sep 2018 57,720 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front out rigger two small holes

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Aug 2018 57,444 miles

Offside Front Upper Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn pin / bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front out rigger 2 small holes

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

engine oil leaks

slight play in steering collum joints

steering box drop arm boot split

Pass 8 Sep 2017 50,833 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion outrigger 2 small holes (6.1.B.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel slight play in steering coloum top u/j (2.2.A.1a)

both rear bump stops missing

Fail 6 Sep 2017 50,822 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect very dull (1.8.A.1b)

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion outrigger 2 small holes (6.1.B.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel slight play in steering coloum top u/j (2.2.A.1a)

both rear bump stops missing

Pass 16 Sep 2016 45,458 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases middle and rear sections (7.1.2)

Nearside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside headlamp reflector dull

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded from hose and hose cracked (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front wheel bearing slght noise

Steering box has a slight oil leak damp and pump slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

engine ,gearbox and rear axle oil leaks

front propshaft rear u/j play , rear propshaft front u/j play and rear u/j grease nipple missing

Fail 7 Sep 2016 45,458 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis (2.4.A.3)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases middle and rear sections (7.1.2)

Nearside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside headlamp reflector dull

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded from hose and hose cracked (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front wheel bearing slght noise

Steering box has a slight oil leak damp and pump slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

engine ,gearbox and rear axle oil leaks

front propshaft rear u/j play , rear propshaft front u/j play and rear u/j grease nipple missing

Pass 14 Sep 2015 39,166 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2015 39,166 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 11 Jun 2014 39,128 miles

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 9 Apr 2013 36,228 miles

Nearside Front Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Pass 13 Apr 2012 30,652 miles
Fail 10 Apr 2012 30,648 miles

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

advise towbar socket insecure

nearside front hub seal weeping

Pass 6 Dec 2010 24,170 miles
Fail 30 Nov 2010 24,169 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

o/s/r bump stop insecure

Pass 12 Nov 2009 23,029 miles
Fail 12 Nov 2009 23,029 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Pass 27 Nov 2008 21,701 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2008 21,701 miles

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Pass 29 Nov 2007 18,635 miles

n/s/r/bump stop broken

steering box leaking o/s/r bump stop broken

Fail 29 Nov 2007 18,629 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

n/s/r/bump stop broken

steering box leaking o/s/r bump stop broken

Pass 17 Nov 2006 13,250 miles

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

A271 SAM is a 1993 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1993 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 118,574 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 A271 SAM, 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 33 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A271 SAM?

You can check the full history of A271 SAM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A271 SAM registered?

A271 SAM is a 1993 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 20 January 1993.

Is A271 SAM safe to buy?

The MOT history for A271 SAM shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A271 SAM 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 A271 SAM. 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.