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BF53 URC

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jan 2027
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

148,536 mi
Last recorded148,536 miles
Recorded on19 Jan 2026
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 URC
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGreen
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

19 pass 14 fail
Pass 19 Jan 2026 148,536 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 13 Jan 2026 148,434 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 6 Jan 2026 148,425 miles

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 2 Jan 2025 144,078 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Floor corroded

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 18 Nov 2024 143,983 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Body mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Floor corrosion

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Body mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Fail 7 Nov 2024 143,969 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit 1.93 (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

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

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Body mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Floor corrosion

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Body mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Pass 2 Feb 2024 142,550 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 1 Feb 2024 142,534 miles

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

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective squeaking effect (3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Jan 2022 140,642 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated A frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body support cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jan 2021 139,045 miles

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush rears (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 19 Jan 2021 139,044 miles

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush rears (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 25 Jun 2019 131,438 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2018 126,367 miles
Fail 5 Jul 2018 126,366 miles

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))

Pass 19 Jul 2017 124,163 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Rear tyres deteriorating/cracking

Fail 11 Jul 2017 124,162 miles

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

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

Drag link end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Rear tyres deteriorating/cracking

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Fail 27 May 2017 124,136 miles

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

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

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

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

Spare wheel insecure (6.4.2)

Steering column shaft has excessive end float (2.1.3)

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

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

Oil leak ()

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

off side front window n/w

Pass 3 May 2016 115,136 miles

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

Fail 28 Apr 2016 115,136 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 May 2015 106,506 miles
Fail 27 May 2015 106,506 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Pass 28 May 2014 99,168 miles
Fail 8 May 2014 99,116 miles

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

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

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

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)

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2) DANGEROUS

Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1a)

near side side step very rusty

Pass 8 May 2013 95,083 miles
Fail 8 May 2013 95,079 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear mudflaps insecure

Pass 11 May 2012 90,319 miles

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

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

Fail 11 May 2012 90,319 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm insecure (2.4.G.1)

Pass 13 May 2011 82,280 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2010 72,170 miles

Child seat fitted to middle rear seat

Pass 27 Jul 2009 54,559 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2009 54,559 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Pass 7 May 2009 52,720 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 7 May 2009 52,720 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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 URC is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

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 URC, 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 URC?

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

What year was BF53 URC registered?

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

Is BF53 URC safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 URC shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 URC 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 URC. 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.