CarVerify

Free Car Check

BF53 UOR

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Mar 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

155,912 mi
Last recorded155,912 miles
Recorded on26 Feb 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationBF53 UOR
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlue
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 10 fail
Pass 26 Feb 2026 155,912 miles

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear cross member above rear silencer before rear axle (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 5 Mar 2025 150,458 miles

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

corrosion to underside

Pass 25 Apr 2024 148,054 miles

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

Pass 28 Jan 2023 143,488 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2022 141,439 miles

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

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

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

Fail 14 Feb 2022 141,439 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Feb 2021 137,977 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material between hose and caliper. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 11 Feb 2021 137,977 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material between hose and caliper. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 3 Feb 2020 134,283 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inside rear door area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Hub seal leaking oil

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened brake disc face corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inside rear door area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 27 Jan 2020 134,282 miles

Brake performance not tested leaking brake pipe (1.2.1 (g))

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (5.1.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting out rigger in front of rear wheel arch (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended rear latch not working (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting out rigger in front of rear wheel arch (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Windscreen washer not working both (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Hub seal leaking oil

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inside rear door area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Hub seal leaking oil

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened brake disc face corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inside rear door area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Jan 2019 131,400 miles

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

exhaust corroded

front & rear brake pipes corroded

Fail 22 Jan 2019 131,400 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear half shaft seal leaking

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

exhaust corroded

exhaust corroded

front & rear brake pipes corroded

Pass 30 Jan 2018 126,240 miles

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

both front tractor joints leaking

both rear outriggers corroded

corrosion around both rear seatbelt mounting points

large cut to n/s/r tyre sidewall

Fail 30 Jan 2018 126,240 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

both front tractor joints leaking

both rear outriggers corroded

corrosion around both rear seatbelt mounting points

large cut to n/s/r tyre sidewall

Pass 16 Feb 2017 120,329 miles

rear seats not fitted

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded both front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

exhaust corroded

Fail 16 Feb 2017 120,329 miles

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded both front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

exhaust corroded

rear seats not fitted

Pass 12 Feb 2016 118,321 miles
Pass 22 May 2015 117,466 miles

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

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

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

oil leaks from front and rear axle

Fail 22 May 2015 117,466 miles

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

Front registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

oil leaks from front and rear axle

Pass 16 May 2014 114,235 miles

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

Pass 8 Jan 2013 112,009 miles
Fail 8 Jan 2013 112,009 miles

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

Pass 6 Jan 2012 97,694 miles

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

Fail 6 Jan 2012 97,694 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 13 Jan 2011 82,438 miles

Both sides front tyres cracking.

Both sides rear tyres cracking.

Front diff leaking oil.

Pass 15 Jan 2010 68,034 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2009 55,120 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2007 47,242 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2006 34,170 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2006 34,170 miles

Centre Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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 UOR is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 UOR, 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 UOR?

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

What year was BF53 UOR registered?

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

Is BF53 UOR safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 UOR shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 UOR 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 UOR. 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.