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AU53 YLE

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 Jul 2026
Tests35 (19 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate54.3%

Mileage

93,277 mi
Last recorded93,277 miles
Recorded on14 Jul 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAU53 YLE
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

19 pass 16 fail
Pass 14 Jul 2025 93,277 miles

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive swivel hub (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive swivel hub (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 11 Jul 2025 93,277 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring insecure spring incorrectly mounted at bottom (5.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive swivel hub (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive swivel hub (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 30 Jan 2025 93,252 miles

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

Fuel tank insecure fuel tank retaining panel corroded (6.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear reflector likely to become detached (4.8.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

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

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

Front passenger door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn swivel hub leaking grease slightly (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn swivel hub leaking grease slightly (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

Pass 20 Dec 2023 91,949 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin offside and nearside inner pad (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside and nearside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords also crack in tread (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting centre of cross member before tow bar (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 11 Dec 2023 91,927 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outer chassis rail (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting cross member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin offside and nearside inner pad (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside and nearside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords also crack in tread (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting centre of cross member before tow bar (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2022 90,425 miles

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin offside and nearside (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing also cut in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Fail 5 Dec 2022 90,421 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin offside and nearside (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing also cut in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Fail 25 Oct 2022 90,404 miles

Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength rear cross member n/s and o/s corroded within 30cm rear trailing arm (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 19 Oct 2021 88,615 miles

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint 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 offside and nearside also cut in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear cross member corroded

Fail 19 Oct 2021 88,614 miles

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

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint 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 offside and nearside also cut in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear cross member corroded

Pass 26 Oct 2020 85,922 miles

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

Fail 26 Oct 2020 85,922 miles

Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged offside caliper pipe (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

Exhaust emissions exceed default limit of 1.5m-1 (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

Pass 30 Oct 2019 82,463 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2018 78,266 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2017 75,277 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2017 75,277 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

front prop rear u/j badly worn

Pass 2 Sep 2016 71,771 miles

235/85 R 16

O/S FRONT TYRE BADLY PERISHED

O/S REAR TYRE BADLY PERISHED

Fail 22 Aug 2016 71,770 miles

Nearside Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush axle bushes (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Offside Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush axle bushes (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

235/85 R 16

O/S FRONT TYRE BADLY PERISHED

O/S REAR TYRE BADLY PERISHED

Pass 21 Aug 2015 68,581 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

both rear and offside front tyres have cracking in treads

both rear and offside front tyres have major cracking in treads

Fail 15 Aug 2015 68,581 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Rear passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

both rear and offside front tyres have major cracking in treads

Pass 12 Sep 2014 655,790 miles

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

Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

all tyre treads cut

Pass 15 Aug 2013 62,620 miles

front pads on mot limit

nearside front seat belt damaged - borderline pass/fail

some doors hard to shut, and straps loose/broken

Fail 13 Aug 2013 62,618 miles

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

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

Centre brake drum contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

front pads on mot limit

nearside front seat belt damaged - borderline pass/fail

some doors hard to shut, and straps loose/broken

Pass 21 Aug 2012 59,836 miles

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

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

Fail 17 Aug 2012 59,834 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

Offside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 30 Sep 2011 55,915 miles
Fail 30 Sep 2011 55,913 miles

Horn sounds harsh or grating (1.6.2e)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Aug 2010 48,971 miles
Pass 15 Sep 2009 43,590 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2009 43,590 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.3.2d)

Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated (3.1.3c)

Pass 26 Sep 2008 36,414 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2008 36,414 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 4 Oct 2007 29,783 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2007 29,783 miles

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Pass 27 Sep 2006 22,282 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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AU53 YLE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.3%.

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 AU53 YLE, 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 AU53 YLE?

You can check the full history of AU53 YLE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AU53 YLE registered?

AU53 YLE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is AU53 YLE safe to buy?

The MOT history for AU53 YLE shows 35 tests with a 54.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AU53 YLE 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 AU53 YLE. 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.