CarVerify

Free Car Check

BF53 UTB

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Dec 2024
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

232,921 mi
Last recorded232,921 miles
Recorded on22 Dec 2023
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationBF53 UTB
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 22 Dec 2023 232,921 miles
Pass 14 Nov 2022 230,758 miles
Pass 8 Nov 2021 228,778 miles
Pass 9 Nov 2020 227,084 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2019 220,262 miles
Fail 6 Nov 2019 220,261 miles

Central Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) steering box adjustment (2.3 (a) (i))

Brake pad(s) wearing thin all brake pads front and rear very thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hydraulic reservoir close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower drop arm 1st joint rubber starting to split

Pass 7 Nov 2018 204,935 miles
Fail 6 Nov 2018 204,932 miles

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Steering column universal joint insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Steering component modified such that the steering is adversely affected steering damper bush worn (2.1.3 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Upper Steering column universal joint insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 2 Nov 2017 189,537 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2017 189,537 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Pass 4 Nov 2016 174,614 miles

Both front axle tie bar bushes starting to wear

Offside Front Axle seal damaged

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Fail 4 Nov 2016 174,614 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Both front axle tie bar bushes starting to wear

Offside Front Axle seal damaged

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Pass 6 Nov 2015 160,468 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2015 160,468 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) insecure retaining pin missing (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Front Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

Pass 7 Nov 2014 144,884 miles

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 1 Nov 2014 144,623 miles

Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

Nearside Front front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

rear propshaft bolts loose onto transfer box

Pass 31 Oct 2013 130,002 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2012 114,722 miles

Centre Front Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Movement in O/S/F Axle joint

Pass 3 Nov 2011 100,738 miles
Fail 3 Nov 2011 100,738 miles

Centre Front registration plate incorrect (6.3.1a)

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Pass 13 Oct 2010 86,381 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 17 Sep 2009 74,564 miles

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

screen wipers will not turn off

Fail 16 Sep 2009 74,564 miles

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

Offside Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.3)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

screen wipers will not turn off

Pass 18 Sep 2008 62,766 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Fail 17 Sep 2008 62,766 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Pass 17 Sep 2007 50,926 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 14 Sep 2007 50,887 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete (1.5.A1b)

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

Nearside Front Panhard rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 12 Sep 2006 40,070 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

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 UTB is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 UTB, 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 UTB?

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

What year was BF53 UTB registered?

BF53 UTB is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 17 September 2003.

Is BF53 UTB safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 UTB shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 UTB 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 UTB. 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.