CarVerify

Free Car Check

AP53 AMK

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Feb 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

131,329 mi
Last recorded131,329 miles
Recorded on12 Feb 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationAP53 AMK
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 8 fail
Pass 12 Feb 2026 131,329 miles

Front and rear suspension components have surface rust

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 29 Jan 2026 131,320 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases to rear (6.1.2 (a))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Brake servo inoperative (1.1.10 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front and rear suspension components have surface rust

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

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

Pass 14 Feb 2025 126,726 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front and rear suspension components have surface rust

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

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

Fail 31 Jan 2025 126,714 miles

Central Brake cable damaged (1.1.15 (a))

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Driver's door catch insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

Emissions unable to be completed exhaust broken (8.2.2.2 (e))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front and rear suspension components have surface rust

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

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

Pass 31 Jan 2024 119,646 miles

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

Fail 29 Jan 2024 119,636 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 31 Jan 2023 112,286 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 3 Feb 2022 103,499 miles

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

Fail 27 Jan 2022 103,405 miles

Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cross panel (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 23 Jan 2021 96,917 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2020 92,722 miles
Pass 22 Jan 2019 86,429 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 (5.2.3 (e))

exhaust corroded

Fail 22 Jan 2019 86,429 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

exhaust corroded

Pass 31 Jan 2018 78,201 miles

rear exhaust flange deteriorated

Fail 30 Jan 2018 78,197 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

rear exhaust flange deteriorated

Pass 27 Jan 2017 70,446 miles

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Some front and rear underside suspension, braking and steering components corroded

Fail 24 Jan 2017 70,446 miles

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush NSR and OSR lower shocker bushes (2.7.4)

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Some front and rear underside suspension, braking and steering components corroded

Pass 27 Jan 2016 63,548 miles
Pass 2 Feb 2015 57,918 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2014 54,473 miles

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

Brake servo vacuum pipe lightly rubbing (3.6.C.1b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 28 Jan 2014 54,473 miles

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

Brake servo vacuum pipe lightly rubbing (3.6.C.1b)

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

Pass 23 Jan 2013 52,255 miles

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

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

Pass 23 Jan 2012 46,383 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2011 38,255 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2010 34,634 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2009 31,261 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Jan 2008 27,726 miles

Centre Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 20 Dec 2006 20,276 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

AP53 AMK is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 AP53 AMK, 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 AP53 AMK?

You can check the full history of AP53 AMK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AP53 AMK registered?

AP53 AMK is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 December 2003.

Is AP53 AMK safe to buy?

The MOT history for AP53 AMK shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AP53 AMK 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 AP53 AMK. 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.