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BF53 UPL

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Dec 2026
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

95,300 mi
Last recorded95,300 miles
Recorded on9 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBF53 UPL
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 14 fail
Pass 9 Dec 2025 95,300 miles

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced blockhead (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 25 Nov 2025 95,298 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the body is impaired (6.2.2 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced blockhead (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 25 Nov 2024 94,901 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2023 94,604 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2022 94,364 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Nov 2022 94,361 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension component likely to fail hub seal leaking (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2021 94,028 miles

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

Fail 15 Nov 2021 94,028 miles

Nearside Rear Body mounting fixings insecure such that stability is seriously impaired (6.2.2 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Body mounting fixings insecure such that stability is seriously impaired (6.2.2 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 27 Oct 2020 92,809 miles

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

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

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

Pass 6 Nov 2019 91,084 miles

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play steering arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 1 Nov 2019 91,082 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play steering arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Nov 2018 87,448 miles
Fail 9 Nov 2018 874,479 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 3 Oct 2017 84,229 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 21 Oct 2016 79,789 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2016 79,783 miles

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

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Fail 2 Sep 2016 79,779 miles

Offside Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 11 Sep 2015 77,261 miles
Fail 11 Sep 2015 77,261 miles

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

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2014 74,563 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2014 74,563 miles

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

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 4 Oct 2013 71,943 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2013 71,924 miles

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

Lower Front passenger door hinge insecure (6.2.B.2)

Pass 10 Oct 2012 67,229 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 Oct 2012 67,229 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Oct 2011 59,782 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2011 59,052 miles
Pass 18 Mar 2010 59,521 miles
Fail 18 Mar 2010 59,521 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Registration plate lamp shows direct white light to the rear (1.1.C.1f)

Pass 25 Feb 2009 52,436 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2008 43,903 miles

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

Fail 15 Feb 2008 43,900 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Pass 9 Oct 2006 33,727 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2006 33,727 miles

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

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 UPL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

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 UPL, 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 UPL?

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

What year was BF53 UPL registered?

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

Is BF53 UPL safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 UPL shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 UPL 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 UPL. 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.