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BF53 TFV

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2401cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 Jun 2026
Tests32 (18 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate56.3%

Mileage

121,466 mi
Last recorded121,466 miles
Recorded on11 Jun 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

RegistrationBF53 TFV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,401cc

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

18 pass 14 fail
Pass 11 Jun 2025 121,466 miles

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jun 2025 121,459 miles

Horn sound not in accordance with requirements (7.7 (c))

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 24 May 2024 119,173 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 May 2024 119,169 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering arm deformed (2.1.3 (c) (i))

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 Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Fuel pipe union leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Apr 2023 114,489 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2022 111,910 miles

Central Body mounting corroded not dangerous.

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

Fail 29 Mar 2022 111,902 miles

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Steering linkage likely to become detached (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Body mounting corroded not dangerous.

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

Pass 26 Nov 2020 107,900 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Oct 2020 107,798 miles

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

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

Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 21 May 2019 104,393 miles
Fail 13 May 2019 104,380 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 31 May 2018 99,796 miles

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

Nearside Rear 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))

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

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

Fail 25 May 2018 99,792 miles

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

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear 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))

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

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

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

Pass 25 May 2017 93,289 miles
Fail 23 May 2017 93,277 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Offside Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Pass 17 May 2016 87,176 miles
Fail 16 May 2016 87,176 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Oil leak rear diff seal.

Rear prop shaft bolts loose.

Pass 22 May 2015 82,408 miles

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

Offside Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Fail 14 May 2015 82,408 miles

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 23 May 2014 77,930 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Fail 22 May 2014 77,930 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 3 Jun 2013 72,880 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 24 May 2013 72,370 miles

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Rear reflector excessively damaged so that its function is impaired (1.5.1c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 22 May 2012 65,938 miles
Fail 21 May 2012 65,927 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 19 May 2011 61,833 miles

ABS light on

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

Pass 27 May 2009 52,715 miles
Fail 27 May 2009 52,715 miles

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incomplete (1.5.A1b)

Pass 3 Jun 2008 48,392 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2008 48,390 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Pass 21 Dec 2006 38,703 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2006 37,074 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

BF53 TFV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,401cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.3%.

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 TFV, 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 TFV?

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

What year was BF53 TFV registered?

BF53 TFV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 2003.

Is BF53 TFV safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 TFV shows 32 tests with a 56.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 TFV 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 TFV. 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.