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BT53 MLY

2003 Land Rover Discovery

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Dec 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

183,376 mi
Last recorded183,376 miles
Recorded on17 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Discovery100,620 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBT53 MLY
MakeLand Rover
ModelDiscovery
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc
View full Land Rover Discovery reliability data Browse other 2003 Land Rover Discovery registrations

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 10 fail
Pass 17 Dec 2025 183,376 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 5 Dec 2024 148,576 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 20 Dec 2023 148,277 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 20 Dec 2023 148,277 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Steering box insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2022 147,679 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Dec 2021 147,131 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 27 Nov 2020 145,851 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 18 Nov 2020 145,849 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 17 May 2019 142,166 miles
Fail 14 May 2019 142,166 miles

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

Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 May 2018 140,584 miles

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Oil leak ()

Fail 23 Apr 2018 140,579 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded main pipe from front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded main pipe from front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 13 Jan 2017 140,222 miles

Offside Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak ()

Fail 13 Jan 2017 140,222 miles

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 24 Apr 2015 127,547 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2014 112,517 miles

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

Fail 11 Mar 2014 112,327 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Steering box insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Pass 5 Mar 2013 98,275 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2012 84,484 miles
Fail 10 Feb 2012 84,476 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

front brake discs badly lipped

towbar wiring hanging down and insercure

Fail 17 Jan 2012 83,798 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Pass 11 Jan 2011 70,749 miles

high level brake light not working

oil leaks

Fail 10 Jan 2011 70,749 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

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

high level brake light not working

oil leaks

Pass 23 Dec 2009 65,655 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2009 65,655 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

nearside reverse lens broken

slight judder when parkbrake applied

Pass 6 Dec 2008 55,928 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2007 47,430 miles
Pass 11 Dec 2006 38,401 miles

How Reliable is the Land Rover Discovery?

Based on 4,388,972 MOT tests across 325,470 vehicles.

72.7%
Pass Rate
6,904
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
325,470
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 153,632
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 141,712
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 136,366
position lamp(s) not working 91,214
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 88,089
Full Land Rover Discovery reliability report

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BT53 MLY is a 2003 Land Rover Discovery in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 2003 Land Rover Discovery models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.2% with a typical mileage of 100,620 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 Discovery fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 153,632 recorded failures. If you're considering buying BT53 MLY, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Discovery typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 23 years old, this Land Rover Discovery is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of BT53 MLY?

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

What year was BT53 MLY registered?

BT53 MLY is a 2003 Land Rover Discovery, first registered on 4 December 2003.

Is BT53 MLY safe to buy?

The MOT history for BT53 MLY shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BT53 MLY 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 MLY. 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.