CarVerify

Free Car Check

BG53 ENJ

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Jun 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

243,622 mi
Last recorded243,622 miles
Recorded on27 May 2026
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

RegistrationBG53 ENJ
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 9 fail
Pass 27 May 2026 243,622 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front and rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear A frame ball joint dust cover deteriorated

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Pass 29 May 2025 241,199 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

exhaust corroded

front and rear brake discs corroded

rear A frame bajj joint gator

Pass 17 May 2024 232,730 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 16 May 2023 228,605 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 31 May 2022 225,574 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 17 May 2021 222,114 miles

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

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

Fail 17 May 2021 222,114 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Jun 2020 217,640 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2020 217,640 miles

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

Offside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Apr 2019 213,474 miles

play in o/s/f hub

Pass 24 Jul 2017 204,608 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

rusty exhaust

Fail 24 Jul 2017 204,608 miles

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

rusty exhaust

Pass 26 Jul 2016 201,669 miles

Nearside Front swivel hub leaking oil

Offside Rear outer door lock intermitant fault

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

all track rod ends gaiters perished

Fail 26 Jul 2016 201,669 miles

Nearside Front swivel hub leaking oil

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear outer door lock intermitant fault

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

all track rod ends gaiters perished

Pass 26 Jun 2015 198,189 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2014 192,282 miles

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

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

Fail 14 Jul 2014 192,282 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jun 2013 186,914 miles

brakes tested by tapley meter

fuel filter corroding

n/s/f tyre perishing

very slioght play in n/s/f wheel bearing

Pass 22 Aug 2012 182,115 miles

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

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

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

traces of diesel on underside of engine. possible diesel leak needs further investigation.

Fail 22 Aug 2012 182,096 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

traces of diesel on underside of engine. possible diesel leak needs further investigation.

Pass 8 Aug 2011 174,260 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 Aug 2011 174,260 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2010 166,575 miles
Pass 3 Dec 2009 166,546 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2008 149,021 miles

play in parkbrake drum.

Pass 5 Dec 2007 129,128 miles
Fail 3 Dec 2007 129,128 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Pass 23 Nov 2006 97,590 miles

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

Fail 21 Nov 2006 97,577 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

BG53 ENJ is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue 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 BG53 ENJ, 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 BG53 ENJ?

You can check the full history of BG53 ENJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BG53 ENJ registered?

BG53 ENJ is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 20 November 2003.

Is BG53 ENJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for BG53 ENJ 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 BG53 ENJ 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 BG53 ENJ. 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.