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BG53 FTF

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Jul 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

142,552 mi
Last recorded142,552 miles
Recorded on7 Jul 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

RegistrationBG53 FTF
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 12 fail
Fail 7 Jul 2026 142,552 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front hub seal damp

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to brake caliper from flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 25 Jul 2025 142,257 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

horn switch faulty but working

Fail 18 Jul 2025 142,257 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Central Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

horn switch faulty but working

Pass 16 Jul 2024 141,652 miles

Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 14 Jul 2023 141,287 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Front both tractor seals weeping

Horn control insecure switch sticky (7.7 (b))

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

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

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

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

front/rear axle pinion very worn

Fail 6 Jul 2023 141,287 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both sides (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Body component corroded and likely to cause injury side steps broken off (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Front both tractor seals weeping

Horn control insecure switch sticky (7.7 (b))

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

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

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

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

front/rear axle pinion very worn

Pass 19 Jul 2022 140,678 miles

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

Nearside Front slight play in swivel joint

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

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

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

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

Fail 19 Jul 2022 140,678 miles

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front slight play in swivel joint

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Jul 2021 139,842 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Rear propshaft, rear UJ. (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 22 Jul 2021 139,842 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Rear propshaft, rear UJ. (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 19 Jun 2020 138,645 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2020 138,641 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush top and bottom (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting x member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 12 Jul 2019 136,951 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2019 136,951 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid both sides (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt front bar (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative light at rear not working (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired bearing (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Horn not working properly switch sticks (7.7 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front hub rusty and seal slightly leaking

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

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

Pass 19 Jun 2018 134,661 miles

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

vehicle muddy

Fail 14 Jun 2018 134,661 miles

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

vehicle muddy

Pass 19 Jun 2017 132,263 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2017 132,263 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 19 Jul 2016 128,755 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

horn switch sensitive

Fail 11 Jul 2016 128,755 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

horn switch sensitive

Pass 9 Jul 2015 126,850 miles

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

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

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

Fail 14 Jul 2014 124,941 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 14 Jul 2014 124,941 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 5 Apr 2013 119,992 miles

exhasut system corroded

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

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

clutch pedal antislip missisng

plastic trims shields and guards covering some perscribed areas

power steering pipes damp

Pass 23 Feb 2012 114,989 miles

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 19 Feb 2011 110,169 miles

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

Nail in offside rear tyre

drivers seat belt slightly frayed

high level brake light not working

ladder on rear obstructing view of rear number plate

Fail 19 Feb 2011 110,169 miles

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

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

Nail in offside rear tyre

drivers seat belt slightly frayed

ladder on rear obstructing view of rear number plate

Pass 2 Mar 2010 101,073 miles

Oil leak

slight wear steering damper bush

Pass 29 Oct 2009 99,166 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2008 94,032 miles

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

Pass 26 Oct 2007 87,680 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2006 79,789 miles

Front 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

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 FTF is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 FTF, 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 FTF?

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

What year was BG53 FTF registered?

BG53 FTF is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 October 2003.

Is BG53 FTF safe to buy?

The MOT history for BG53 FTF shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BG53 FTF 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 FTF. 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.