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BG53 RJV

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Apr 2027
Tests22 (18 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate81.8%

Mileage

227,685 mi
Last recorded227,685 miles
Recorded on21 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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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBG53 RJV
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 4 fail
Pass 21 Apr 2026 227,685 miles

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, Front differential and Transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 21 Apr 2026 227,681 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, Front differential and Transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 24 Mar 2025 224,936 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 May 2023 217,941 miles

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

Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play forward one (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 9 May 2022 213,396 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 20 Apr 2021 208,327 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing inner sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Fail 16 Apr 2021 208,326 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Road wheel more than one fixing loose some wont tighten as siezed (5.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing inner sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 29 Mar 2019 203,825 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both front going to flex's(2 (1.1.11 (c))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Mar 2018 197,784 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

Fail 13 Mar 2018 197,784 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2017 192,399 miles

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

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

Pass 8 Jan 2016 187,455 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Nov 2014 183,138 miles

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 30 Oct 2013 173,895 miles
Fail 21 Oct 2013 173,895 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

Front Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by brake fluid (3.5.1h)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 19 Oct 2012 162,119 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2011 147,526 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2010 134,438 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 3 Nov 2009 120,391 miles

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

Pass 10 Nov 2008 101,947 miles

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

Pass 8 Nov 2007 78,929 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2006 60,390 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

BG53 RJV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 RJV, 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 RJV?

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

What year was BG53 RJV registered?

BG53 RJV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 29 December 2003.

Is BG53 RJV safe to buy?

The MOT history for BG53 RJV shows 22 tests with a 81.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BG53 RJV 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 RJV. 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.