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A3 WHJ

1987 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Sep 2026
Tests21 (17 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate81%

Mileage

155,170 mi
Last recorded155,170 miles
Recorded on15 Sep 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA3 WHJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1987
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,494cc
View full Land Rover Defender reliability data Browse other 1987 Land Rover Defender registrations

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

17 pass 4 fail
Pass 15 Sep 2025 155,170 miles
Pass 21 Dec 2020 155,075 miles

Horn not working properly (7.7 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

handbrake as little reserve travel

Fail 14 Dec 2020 155,051 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play coupling to steering box (2.2.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

handbrake as little reserve travel

Pass 3 Dec 2019 151,268 miles

Front Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play coupling (2.2.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front steering stabiliser bar as play in a bush

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

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

Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

handbrake as little reserve travel

Fail 3 Dec 2019 151,268 miles

Front Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play coupling (2.2.2 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front steering stabiliser bar as play in a bush

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

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

Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

handbrake as little reserve travel

Pass 3 Dec 2018

Offside Stop lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Pass 6 Dec 2017

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Oil leak ()

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 6 Dec 2016 150,102 miles

Front position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Front position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 23 Nov 2015 145,747 miles

Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 27 Nov 2014 138,284 miles

Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 24 Nov 2014 138,282 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 27 Nov 2013 131,670 miles

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

Pass 27 Nov 2012 127,506 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 12 Nov 2011 129,582 miles
Pass 28 Oct 2010 124,573 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 30 Oct 2009
Pass 31 Oct 2008
Pass 12 Oct 2007 104,065 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2006 99,730 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2006 99,730 miles

Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (7.4.A.1)

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (7.4.A2)

Pass 3 Oct 2005 95,408 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

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A3 WHJ is a 1987 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,494cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 A3 WHJ, 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 A3 WHJ?

You can check the full history of A3 WHJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A3 WHJ registered?

A3 WHJ is a 1987 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1987.

Is A3 WHJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for A3 WHJ shows 21 tests with a 81% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A3 WHJ 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 A3 WHJ. 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.