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BF53 PJX

2003 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2492cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Aug 2027
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

182,627 mi
Last recorded182,627 miles
Recorded on7 Aug 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

RegistrationBF53 PJX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,492cc

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 11 fail
Pass 7 Aug 2026 182,627 miles

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))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Drop Arm Joint (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 7 Aug 2026 182,616 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Drop Arm Joint (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 15 Aug 2025 173,222 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 15 Aug 2025 173,222 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2024 158,798 miles
Fail 22 Aug 2024 158,798 miles

Fuel system component leaking Leak around filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 20 Aug 2024 158,786 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Steering column attachment defective connection at Steering Box (2.2.2 (d) (i))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Leak at Fuel Filter but not excessive

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

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Axle 'A' Frame Joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play Axle 'A' Frame Joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Aug 2023 147,862 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Other passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle A frame joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 24 Aug 2023 147,851 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Other passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle A frame joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 6 Jan 2022 142,436 miles
Fail 5 Jan 2022 142,427 miles

Offside Front Lower Axle king pin is loose in the axle beam king pin (5.1.2 (d) (i))

Pass 4 Jan 2021 136,093 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2019 119,698 miles
Fail 5 Jul 2019 119,690 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 22 Jun 2018 108,883 miles

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

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

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

Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

both rear shocks top mount deteriorated

Pass 29 Jun 2017 100,446 miles

BOTH Front Brake Discs slightly worn.

Factory fitted Engine Cover.

Oil leak

Oil seepage around Gearbox.

Fail 29 Jun 2017 100,446 miles

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

BOTH Front Brake Discs slightly worn.

Factory fitted Engine Cover.

Oil leak

Oil seepage around Gearbox.

Pass 14 Jun 2016 83,596 miles

Both front to rear brake pipe nuts rusty

Brake pipe slightly corroded Both front and rear (3.6.B.2c)

Exhaust system rusty at joins

Front brake discs and pads rusty and worn

Minor stonechips in windscreen

Nearside rear door not latching securely on every closure

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush All (2.7.4)

Various engine oil leaks

Fail 3 Jun 2016 83,126 miles

Centre Rear Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Both front to rear brake pipe nuts rusty

Brake pipe slightly corroded Both front and rear (3.6.B.2c)

Exhaust system rusty at joins

Front brake discs and pads rusty and worn

Front steering damper bushes severly worn

Minor stonechips in windscreen

Nearside rear door not latching securely on every closure

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

Rear brake pads retaining pins loose in caliper

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush All (2.7.4)

Various engine oil leaks

Pass 12 Jun 2015 69,037 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Jun 2015 69,037 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Mar 2014 61,978 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2013 56,174 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2012 50,014 miles

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

Pass 24 Feb 2011 45,689 miles
Pass 1 Feb 2010 40,700 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2009 34,465 miles

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

Fail 28 Jan 2009 34,465 miles

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Pass 19 Dec 2007 28,717 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2006 22,265 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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BF53 PJX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,492cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 BF53 PJX, 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 BF53 PJX?

You can check the full history of BF53 PJX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BF53 PJX registered?

BF53 PJX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 October 2003.

Is BF53 PJX safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 PJX shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 PJX 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 BF53 PJX. 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.