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BF53 URT

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Dec 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

220,721 mi
Last recorded220,721 miles
Recorded on16 Dec 2025
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 URT
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 9 fail
Pass 16 Dec 2025 220,721 miles

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

Pass 11 Dec 2024 217,862 miles

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

Fail 10 Dec 2024 217,857 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

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

Fail 2 Sep 2024 217,839 miles

Nearside Front Lower Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting Floor, Bulkhead (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting Floor, Bulkhead (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working All (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Fluid leaking continuously posing a serious risk to road safety Halfshaft (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front bushing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front swivel housing slight leak of oil

Offside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front bushing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2023 214,665 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

all 4 coil springs corroded

Fail 10 Aug 2023 214,657 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

all 4 coil springs corroded

Pass 24 Oct 2022 213,413 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

offside front floor heavily corroded

Pass 13 Sep 2021 206,552 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2020 201,507 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Spare tyre defective ()

Pass 31 Oct 2019 196,940 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 15 Oct 2018 195,262 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 23 Aug 2017 191,156 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

corrosion to nsr osr osf roadwheels

Pass 6 Sep 2016 185,410 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

Fail 31 Aug 2016 185,407 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

Fail 20 Aug 2016 185,248 miles

Emissions not tested Dense smoke (7.4.B.1)

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

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

Offside Front Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

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

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Front Diff seal leaking

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Offside Seat belt cut but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Oil leak ()

Pass 5 Sep 2015 177,624 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2015 177,611 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Headlamp not working on main beam Both (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 1 Aug 2014 165,542 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2013 155,918 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2012 153,002 miles

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 22 Jul 2011 138,786 miles
Fail 15 Jul 2011 138,783 miles

Front Track rod end damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

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

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

Pass 17 Aug 2010 122,135 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Aug 2010 122,133 miles

Nearside Front Steering component damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Pass 1 Sep 2009 100,789 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2009 100,789 miles

Offside Front Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 30 Aug 2008 82,324 miles
Pass 5 Mar 2007 46,642 miles
Pass 21 Aug 2006 41,362 miles

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

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

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 URT is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 URT, 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 URT?

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

What year was BF53 URT registered?

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

Is BF53 URT safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 URT shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 URT 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 URT. 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.