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BF53 UBG

2003 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Nov 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

253,609 mi
Last recorded253,609 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBF53 UBG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlack
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 253,609 miles

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

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement badly perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

bump stops

Pass 4 Nov 2024 248,370 miles

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

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

Rear suspension bushes perished

Fail 22 Oct 2024 248,370 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover missing (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear suspension bushes perished

bump stops missing

Pass 12 Oct 2023 242,088 miles

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

both front suspension swivel hub seals slightly leaking

both front washer jets need realignment

slight engine oil leak

slight gearbox oil leak

Pass 24 Jun 2022 238,553 miles

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

Pass 9 Jun 2021 234,093 miles

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

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

Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed o/s and n/s fronts (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Fail 27 Apr 2021 234,073 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture front to rear (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both fronts inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Brake pad(s) wearing thin both fronts inner (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed o/s and n/s fronts (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Pass 16 Sep 2020 230,690 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both fronts and front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Seat belt slightly damaged o/s front and n/s front webbing (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Sep 2019 221,950 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Sep 2019 221,944 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Exhaust silencer likely to become detached (8.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2018 216,618 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

Nearside Rear seat not secure

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

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

Fail 12 Sep 2018 216,615 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

Nearside Rear seat not secure

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2017 207,763 miles

Nearside Front N/S/F tyre 2mm

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Offside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 18 Sep 2017 207,761 miles

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Nearside Front N/S/F tyre 2mm

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Offside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 6 Sep 2016 198,292 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 5 Sep 2016 198,291 miles

Centre Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Emissions not tested (7.4.B.1)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 15 Sep 2015 188,003 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level on limit (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

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

Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides (2.7.4)

both front hub seals slight oil leak

Pass 18 Sep 2014 178,326 miles

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

Fail 17 Sep 2014 178,326 miles

Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at wishbone bearing (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 24 Sep 2013 168,286 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2012 156,446 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2011 141,769 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2010 127,050 miles
Fail 1 Sep 2010 127,050 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching badly frayed (5.2.2b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Outer Rear Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b) DANGEROUS

Offside Inner Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Outer Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 9 Sep 2009 109,560 miles

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

OFFSIDE AND NEARSIDE REAR SEAT BASES LOOSE.

Pass 10 Sep 2008 90,954 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2008 90,954 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 4 Sep 2007 68,982 miles

both off side rear side seat belts missing they catches

Pass 4 Sep 2006 46,526 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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BF53 UBG is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Black 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 BF53 UBG, 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 UBG?

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

What year was BF53 UBG registered?

BF53 UBG is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 11 September 2003.

Is BF53 UBG safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 UBG 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 BF53 UBG 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 UBG. 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.