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BT53 UUV

2003 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Dec 2026
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

213,863 mi
Last recorded213,863 miles
Recorded on3 Dec 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBT53 UUV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourWhite
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 7 fail
Pass 3 Dec 2025 213,863 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

surface corrosion throughout under side body and chassis

Fail 3 Dec 2025 213,863 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

surface corrosion throughout under side body and chassis

Pass 14 Nov 2024 211,338 miles

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

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

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

Pass 7 Nov 2023 208,583 miles

DIFF OIL SLIGHTLY LEAKING

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive GEAR OIL SLIGHYTLY (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 7 Nov 2023 208,583 miles

Front Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

DIFF OIL SLIGHTLY LEAKING

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive GEAR OIL SLIGHYTLY (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 2 Nov 2022 204,906 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 Nov 2022 204,906 miles

Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Nov 2021 200,653 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Upper and lower bush's (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Nov 2020 194,243 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Nov 2019 187,598 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Nov 2018 181,242 miles

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

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

Offside Rear tyre has uneven wear

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

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

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

Fail 15 Nov 2018 181,240 miles

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

Exhaust on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour (8.2.2.2 (d))

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

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

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

Offside Rear tyre has uneven wear

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

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

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

Fail 10 Nov 2018 181,165 miles

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush offside & nearside rear (5.3.2 (c))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all underbody (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 22 Nov 2017 174,349 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt gaiter loose (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak engine ()

Oil leak gearbox ()

Pass 6 Jan 2017 168,802 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush upper and lower (2.7.4)

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

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

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

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Fail 5 Jan 2017 168,760 miles

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush upper and lower (2.7.4)

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

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

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

Pass 8 Jan 2016 161,080 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

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

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Fail 6 Jan 2016 161,077 miles

Nearside Front Panhard rod rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Offside Front Panhard rod rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

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

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

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Pass 11 Nov 2014 151,548 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 21 Nov 2013 143,067 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Pass 11 Dec 2012 136,033 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2011 127,588 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2010 110,821 miles
Pass 14 Oct 2009 94,447 miles
Pass 6 Nov 2008 78,442 miles
Pass 13 Nov 2007 60,477 miles
Pass 21 Dec 2006 45,459 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 UUV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 BT53 UUV, 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 UUV?

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

What year was BT53 UUV registered?

BT53 UUV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 29 December 2003.

Is BT53 UUV safe to buy?

The MOT history for BT53 UUV shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BT53 UUV 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 UUV. 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.