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BB53 FLY

2004 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Nov 2026
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

197,293 mi
Last recorded197,293 miles
Recorded on6 Nov 2025
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBB53 FLY
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2004
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc
View full Land Rover Defender reliability data Browse other 2004 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

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 6 Nov 2025 197,293 miles
Fail 4 Nov 2025 197,277 miles

Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play Drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 1 Nov 2024 192,710 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Seat mounting cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 27 Oct 2023 191,964 miles

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front swivel seals leaking (NS and OS)

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 27 Oct 2023 191,964 miles

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

Offside Front 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))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front swivel seals leaking (NS and OS)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Oct 2022 188,686 miles

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

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

Fail 21 Oct 2022 188,686 miles

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))

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Oct 2021 185,265 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 29 Oct 2021 185,265 miles

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))

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2020 182,968 miles

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

Intermediate drop arm deformed but serviceable (2.1.3 (c) (i))

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

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Al four (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 16 Oct 2020 182,968 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Intermediate drop arm deformed but serviceable (2.1.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Al four (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 25 Oct 2019 177,815 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Fail 25 Oct 2019 177,815 miles

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Oct 2018 174,063 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Fail 30 Oct 2018 174,062 miles

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

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle missing (7.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2017 170,568 miles

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

Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides (2.4.G.2)

Fail 26 Oct 2017 170,568 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides (2.4.G.2)

Pass 3 Nov 2016 166,410 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 3 Nov 2016 166,410 miles

Fuel system component leaking Regulator (7.2.3)

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

Central Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 17 Nov 2015 160,332 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Fail 17 Nov 2015 160,316 miles

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Pass 10 Dec 2014 155,762 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 6 Dec 2013 150,843 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Dec 2012 143,927 miles

Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Fail 3 Dec 2012 143,888 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 15 Nov 2011 136,454 miles

Nearside rear lower door hinge broken

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Fail 15 Nov 2011 136,454 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by grease (3.5.1h)

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

Nearside rear lower door hinge broken

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 7 Dec 2010 129,952 miles
Pass 11 Dec 2009 119,981 miles

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

Fail 2 Dec 2009 119,826 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

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

Pass 8 Dec 2008 111,744 miles

Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Fail 5 Dec 2008 111,702 miles

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

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

Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Pass 2 Nov 2007 101,231 miles
Pass 6 Sep 2007 97,497 miles

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

front brake pads low

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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BB53 FLY is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 2004 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.0% with a typical mileage of 81,117 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 BB53 FLY, 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 22 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 BB53 FLY?

You can check the full history of BB53 FLY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BB53 FLY registered?

BB53 FLY is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 August 2004.

Is BB53 FLY safe to buy?

The MOT history for BB53 FLY shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BB53 FLY 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 BB53 FLY. 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.