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AT53 BKN

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Nov 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

138,630 mi
Last recorded138,630 miles
Recorded on29 Oct 2025
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

RegistrationAT53 BKN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGreen
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 9 fail
Pass 29 Oct 2025 138,630 miles

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Cross member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 5 Nov 2024 136,845 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 31 Oct 2024 136,845 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 2 Nov 2023 133,762 miles

Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Pass 9 Nov 2022 130,481 miles

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 4 Nov 2022 130,479 miles

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

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

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Nov 2021 127,424 miles

Nearside Front Coolant leak thermostate ()

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 3 Nov 2020 125,168 miles

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

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

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

Fail 2 Nov 2020 125,168 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 11 Nov 2019 122,999 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Fail 6 Nov 2019 122,999 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Fuel system component leaking fuel pressure regulator (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt a-frame balljoint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 15 Oct 2018 118,514 miles

Rear 'A' frame ball joint gaiter split

Fail 15 Oct 2018 118,514 miles

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

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

Rear 'A' frame ball joint gaiter split

Pass 31 Oct 2017 113,330 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2016 108,375 miles

Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides (2.7.4)

Fail 19 Oct 2016 109,374 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Braking system leaking front to rear metal brake pipe (3.6.A.1)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides (2.7.4)

Pass 30 Oct 2015 102,392 miles

Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both (2.7.4)

Pass 4 Nov 2014 96,753 miles
Fail 4 Nov 2014 96,750 miles

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

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

Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

serious oil leaks from engine area

Pass 8 Nov 2013 90,242 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2012 84,872 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2011 79,623 miles

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

Front Drag link end loose (2.2.B.1d)

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

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 2 Nov 2011 79,623 miles

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 28 Oct 2010 73,061 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2009 64,830 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 5 Nov 2009 64,830 miles
Pass 15 Dec 2008 57,508 miles
Pass 15 Dec 2007 42,759 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2006 28,260 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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AT53 BKN is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 AT53 BKN, 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 AT53 BKN?

You can check the full history of AT53 BKN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AT53 BKN registered?

AT53 BKN is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 25 September 2003.

Is AT53 BKN safe to buy?

The MOT history for AT53 BKN shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AT53 BKN 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 AT53 BKN. 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.