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BF53 UPH

2003 Land Rover Defender

Silver Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Mar 2027
Tests33 (21 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

186,113 mi
Last recorded186,113 miles
Recorded on18 Feb 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBF53 UPH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourSilver
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

21 pass 12 fail
Pass 18 Feb 2026 186,113 miles

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Mar 2025 179,251 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Fail 26 Feb 2025 179,249 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn insecure (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 7 Mar 2024 169,900 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2024 169,647 miles

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis/cross member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 14 Feb 2023 159,654 miles

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

Pass 2 Mar 2022 150,206 miles

Nearside and offside rear chassis slightly corroded

Pass 1 Mar 2021 145,812 miles
Fail 27 Feb 2021 145,793 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 3 Mar 2020 144,065 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Bushes and cups worn. (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Bushes and cups worn. (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 2 Mar 2020 144,065 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail Circlip missing, cup insecure and bearings collapsed. (6.1.7 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Bushes and cups worn. (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Bushes and cups worn. (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 7 Feb 2019 136,757 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2019 136,751 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Front Front flange of front prop shaft has an inappropriate sized bolt fitted.

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Rear U/J worn. (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Mar 2018 133,370 miles

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush Top washer fitted incorrectly as well. (2.7.4)

Fail 5 Mar 2018 133,369 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) Brake pipe rubbing on spring as wheel moves from lock to lock. (2.2.D.2b)

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

Nearside Front Position lamp flickers.

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

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush Top washer fitted incorrectly as well. (2.7.4)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 3 Mar 2017 129,015 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2016 122,435 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2016 122,432 miles

Centre Rear Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 16 Feb 2015 116,161 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2014 107,441 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2013 96,165 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2013 96,163 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Feb 2012 84,379 miles

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

Fail 23 Feb 2012 84,379 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 15 Feb 2011 77,640 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2011 77,640 miles

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

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively chafed (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) insecure (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) locking device missing (3.5.1l) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 3 Feb 2010 68,404 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2010 68,376 miles

Centre Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has slight play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Fail 20 Jan 2009 59,015 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jan 2009 59,015 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Pass 8 Feb 2008 49,789 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2007 39,222 miles

offside front back plate

Pass 5 Jun 2006 37,752 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 UPH is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Silver with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

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 UPH, 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 UPH?

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

What year was BF53 UPH registered?

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

Is BF53 UPH safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 UPH shows 33 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 UPH 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 UPH. 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.