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BT53 MKM

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Oct 2026
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

191,628 mi
Last recorded191,628 miles
Recorded on22 Oct 2025
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

RegistrationBT53 MKM
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

19 pass 14 fail
Pass 22 Oct 2025 191,628 miles

Central Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

both front tyres fouling suspension component on full lock

Fail 21 Oct 2025 191,623 miles

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

Central Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

both front tyres fouling suspension component on full lock

Pass 30 Oct 2024 185,294 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated stabilizer ball joint cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

both front tyres are fouling the radius arms on full lock

Fail 30 Oct 2024 185,283 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play cross rod ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated stabilizer ball joint cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

both front tyres are fouling the radius arms on full lock

Pass 5 Oct 2023 179,285 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle ball joint cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox/both front outer hubs (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

on full lock the oversize tyres are rubbing on the radius arms

Fail 5 Oct 2023 179,277 miles

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint cover (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle ball joint cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox/both front outer hubs (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

on full lock the oversize tyres are rubbing on the radius arms

Pass 5 Oct 2022 173,222 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox/nearside outer hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

on full lock both front tyres are rubbing on the radius arms

Fail 5 Oct 2022 173,214 miles

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint cover (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Steering linkage insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings cross rod to ball joint (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox/nearside outer hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

on full lock both front tyres are rubbing on the radius arms

Pass 6 Oct 2021 166,143 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn rear radius arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn rear radius arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle stabiliser ball joint cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 5 Oct 2021 166,129 miles

Offside Front Body component damaged and likely to cause injury (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body component damaged and likely to cause injury wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint cover (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn rear radius arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn rear radius arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated axle stabiliser ball joint cover (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 6 Oct 2020 159,109 miles

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

Fail 5 Oct 2020 159,098 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play cross rod ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) contaminated signs of a leak around the caliper and disc (1.1.13 (b))

Front cross rod is damaged

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

Pass 17 Sep 2019 151,267 miles
Fail 16 Sep 2019 151,258 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Fuel system component leaking filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Oct 2018 142,117 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Oct 2018 142,117 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 6 Oct 2017 131,330 miles

Front Hub seals damp

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Hub seal damp

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak ()

Fail 5 Oct 2017 131,324 miles

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

Central Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Front Hub seals damp

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Hub seal damp

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak ()

Pass 22 Sep 2016 123,441 miles

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak ()

Fail 22 Sep 2016 123,436 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak ()

Pass 16 Sep 2015 113,420 miles

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

Oil leaks

Fail 16 Sep 2015 113,413 miles

Trailer electrical socket (13 pin) not operating the trailer lamps as intended (1.9.4)

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

Oil leaks

Pass 23 Sep 2014 103,625 miles

Oil leak

Fail 23 Sep 2014 103,625 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Oil leak

Pass 16 Sep 2013 91,608 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Rear Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Fail 16 Sep 2013 91,608 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Oil leak

Pass 21 Sep 2012 78,888 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2011 65,767 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2010 60,047 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2010 60,044 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 18 Jun 2009 54,500 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 1 Jul 2008 49,810 miles

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

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

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

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

slight oil leak

underside of the vehicle is in a dirty condition

Pass 2 May 2007 41,431 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

BT53 MKM is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

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 BT53 MKM, 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 BT53 MKM?

You can check the full history of BT53 MKM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BT53 MKM registered?

BT53 MKM is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 11 December 2003.

Is BT53 MKM safe to buy?

The MOT history for BT53 MKM shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BT53 MKM 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 BT53 MKM. 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.