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AO53 FHC

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Jun 2027
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

130,423 mi
Last recorded130,423 miles
Recorded on20 Jun 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAO53 FHC
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGrey
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 20 Jun 2026 130,423 miles

Brake disc worn, but not excessively Front and Rear (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded o/s and n/s (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured o/s and n/s (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush o/s and n/s (5.3.2 (c))

Under body sealant applied

Pass 23 May 2025 130,065 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front and rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

various fluid leaks

Fail 20 May 2025 130,065 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front and rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

various fluid leaks

Fail 17 Apr 2024 130,037 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Hydraulic leak, but not excessive swivel joint (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Hydraulic leak, but not excessive swivel joint (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 22 Jun 2023 130,020 miles

Rear Sub-frame strengthening plate or fastening so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced (6.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Apr 2021 129,737 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2019 128,926 miles

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

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

slight oil leak

Pass 28 Aug 2018 126,327 miles

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

Pass 22 Sep 2017 122,700 miles
Pass 16 Aug 2016 117,847 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2015 115,613 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2014 111,133 miles

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 5 Jun 2013 105,700 miles

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

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

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 5 Jun 2013 105,700 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 29 Jun 2012 80,277 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2012 80,277 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete (3.3.A.1b)

Pass 16 Sep 2011 82,629 miles
Fail 16 Sep 2011 82,629 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 24 Sep 2010 74,560 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2010 74,559 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 2 Oct 2009 67,061 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 2 Oct 2009 67,061 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 6 Oct 2008 55,647 miles

Offside Rear reflector excessively damaged so that its function is impaired (1.5.1c)

Pass 6 Oct 2008 55,647 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2007 47,710 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2006 37,854 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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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.

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AO53 FHC is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

Across all 2003 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.7% with a typical mileage of 86,068 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 AO53 FHC, 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 23 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 AO53 FHC?

You can check the full history of AO53 FHC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AO53 FHC registered?

AO53 FHC is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 23 October 2003.

Is AO53 FHC safe to buy?

The MOT history for AO53 FHC shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AO53 FHC 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 AO53 FHC. 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.