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BL53 PZM

2004 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Apr 2027
Tests36 (21 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

243,642 mi
Last recorded243,642 miles
Recorded on20 Apr 2026
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBL53 PZM
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2004
ColourGrey
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

21 pass 15 fail
Pass 20 Apr 2026 243,642 miles

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

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

Hydraulic brake cylinder corroded but not seriously weakened mounting bracket (1.1.16 (d) (i))

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive power steering box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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 Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Fail 26 Mar 2026 243,642 miles

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Vehicle structure is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached O/S/R and N/S/R (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring corroded N/S/F and O/S/F (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Hydraulic brake cylinder corroded but not seriously weakened mounting bracket (1.1.16 (d) (i))

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive power steering box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Fail 2 Mar 2026 243,639 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Steering column universal joint fractured to the extent that steering is affected osf of engine bay (2.1.3 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake warning device malfunctioning or defective (1.1.4 (a) (i))

Central Rear Towbar component corroded, but not excessively (6.1.6 (a))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources of of two bulbs not working and dim (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2025 237,928 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Mar 2025 237,928 miles

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn Upper king pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Parking brake lever inoperative (1.1.6 (d))

Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 23 Apr 2024 231,007 miles

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

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

Fail 22 Apr 2024 231,007 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 20 Apr 2023 221,916 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Apr 2023 221,916 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Apr 2022 217,074 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 8 Apr 2022 217,074 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover missing (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2021 209,999 miles

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

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

Fail 26 Apr 2021 209,999 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 Apr 2020 197,657 miles

Drag link end ball joint has slight play Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Apr 2019 188,266 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2018 178,325 miles

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

Fail 23 Mar 2018 178,325 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2017 164,809 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

Pass 24 Jan 2017 163,516 miles
Fail 24 Jan 2017 163,516 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 2 Oct 2015 160,296 miles

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

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

slight corrosion to chassis

slight oil leak

Fail 9 Oct 2014 160,014 miles

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

advanced corrosion nearside front brake pipe

oil leak engine

Pass 9 Oct 2014 160,014 miles

advanced corrosion nearside front brake pipe

oil leak engine

Fail 23 Sep 2014 160,007 miles

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

advanced corrosion nearside front brake pipe

oil leak engine

Fail 9 Sep 2013 156,572 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 9 Sep 2013 156,572 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2012 153,084 miles

Oil leak

Pass 16 Sep 2011 149,584 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Oil leak

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

Fail 5 Aug 2010 144,290 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

corrosion on front discs

manually have to park wipers

Pass 5 Aug 2010 144,290 miles

corrosion on front discs

manually have to park wipers

Pass 29 Jan 2010 141,610 miles

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

Fail 28 Jan 2010 141,595 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Pass 6 Feb 2009 129,804 miles
Fail 5 Feb 2009 129,804 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

Pass 1 Feb 2008 102,787 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)

Pass 29 Jan 2007 77,591 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

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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

BL53 PZM is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 2004 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.0% with a typical mileage of 81,117 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 BL53 PZM, 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 22 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 BL53 PZM?

You can check the full history of BL53 PZM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BL53 PZM registered?

BL53 PZM is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 18 January 2004.

Is BL53 PZM safe to buy?

The MOT history for BL53 PZM shows 36 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BL53 PZM 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 BL53 PZM. 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.