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BF53 URH

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Apr 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

142,761 mi
Last recorded142,761 miles
Recorded on20 Apr 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 URH
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 20 Apr 2026 142,761 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Fail 8 Apr 2026 142,666 miles

Brake lever has abnormal movement of levers indicating excessive wear or maladjustment hand brake (1.1.15 (f))

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 11 Apr 2025 137,300 miles

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

rear fuel tank cradle corroded

Fail 9 Apr 2025 137,299 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced seat belt bar from rear crossmember (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Axle king pin is loose in the axle beam play in swivel pin /bearings (5.1.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users axle swivel (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Front Fluid leak, but not excessive axle diff seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive seat belt bracket from rear crossmember (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

rear fuel tank cradle corroded

Pass 2 Feb 2024 132,967 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both radios arm bushes perished/cracked (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip (3.2 (a) (i))

front bumper corroded and holed

fuel tank cradle corroded and holed

Fail 31 Jan 2024 132,960 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail (6.1.7 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both radios arm bushes perished/cracked (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip (3.2 (a) (i))

front bumper corroded and holed

fuel tank cradle corroded and holed

Pass 6 Feb 2023 130,340 miles

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

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

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

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

slight leak from offside axle swivel joint

Fail 26 Jan 2023 130,338 miles

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

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

Power steering component leaking box area (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

slight leak from offside axle swivel joint

Pass 10 Feb 2022 127,425 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Fluid leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front swivel slight oil leak

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 1 Feb 2022 127,411 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Power steering component leaking steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking at steering box area (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Spare wheel carrier fractured corroded and holed (6.1.5 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Fluid leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front swivel slight oil leak

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Jan 2021 122,405 miles

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

Seat belt slightly damaged both front (7.1.2 (b) (i))

front brake discs worn and corroded

high level stop lamp inop

parking brake lever has little reserve travel

slight leaks at both front axle swivels

Fail 14 Jan 2021 122,405 miles

Emissions not tested exhaust detached (8.2.2.2 (e))

Nearside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

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

Power steering component leaking steering box area (2.1.5 (a))

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

Exhaust silencer likely to become detached centre section corroded and detached (8.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Seat belt slightly damaged both front (7.1.2 (b) (i))

accident damage to nearside front

front brake discs worn and corroded

high level stop lamp inop

parking brake lever has little reserve travel

slight leaks at both front axle swivels

Pass 6 Feb 2020 116,248 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

high level stop light

Fail 27 Jan 2020 116,242 miles

Drag link end ball joint has excessive play offside at drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Emissions not tested due to burst exhaust (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235/85/16 toro (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

high level stop light

Pass 17 Jan 2019 103,245 miles

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

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

front swivels both sides slight oil leak

high level stop not working

Fail 15 Jan 2019 103,241 miles

Front Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235/85/16 toyo tran path m/t (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

front swivels both sides slight oil leak

high level stop not working

Pass 18 Jan 2018 94,951 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component steering box area (2.3.3b)

Propshaft universal joint worn rear prop, rear joint ()

all brake discs corroded

high level stop lamp inop

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

Fail 18 Jan 2018 94,950 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (8.2.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component steering box area (2.3.3b)

Propshaft universal joint worn rear prop, rear joint ()

all brake discs corroded

high level stop lamp inop

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 12 Jan 2017 93,148 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2016 91,650 miles

Nearside Front axle swivel slight oil leak

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting cross member (6.6.6)

Rear axle showing corrosion

both rear chassis legs showing corrosion

Pass 19 Jan 2015 89,755 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Fail 9 Jan 2015 89,755 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Pass 15 Jan 2014 87,797 miles

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

high level stop not working

Pass 9 Jan 2013 84,418 miles

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

Fail 9 Jan 2013 84,416 miles

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

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

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 11 Jan 2012 80,370 miles

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

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

nearside front swivel slight oil leak

Fail 11 Jan 2012 80,370 miles

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

nearside front swivel slight oil leak

Pass 17 Aug 2010 68,281 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2010 68,281 miles

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

Pass 6 Aug 2009 61,298 miles

Centre Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Pass 2 Sep 2008 50,752 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2007 39,501 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2006 30,514 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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 URH 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 60.6%.

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 URH, 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 URH?

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

What year was BF53 URH registered?

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

Is BF53 URH safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 URH shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 URH 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 URH. 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.