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BU52 JZA

2002 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Aug 2026
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

233,943 mi
Last recorded233,943 miles
Recorded on1 Aug 2025
Typical for 2002 Land Rover Defender91,689 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU52 JZA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2002
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 15 fail
Pass 1 Aug 2025 233,943 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Oil leak, but not excessive swivel housing (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 9 Aug 2024 228,841 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive hub swivel seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 23 Aug 2023 224,113 miles

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive swivel housing (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 4 Aug 2023 224,104 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive Swivel (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 13 Aug 2022 219,419 miles

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

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Chip In Screen (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive Swivel (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 3 Aug 2022 219,413 miles

Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength A-Frame Mounting to Chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Chip In Screen (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive Swivel (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Unable to check wiper effectiveness due to poor washers

Pass 13 Aug 2021 214,730 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes covered in dirt (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Swivel seal leaking

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

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

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

Fail 11 Aug 2021 214,712 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen Nozzle missing (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Both front swivel joints leaking

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes covered in dirt (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Swivel joint heavily pitted and seal is torn

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 23 Jul 2020 207,500 miles

Nearside Front 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 dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Fail 23 Jul 2020 207,500 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint excessively worn A frame (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front 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 dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 17 Aug 2019 203,154 miles

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Fail 16 Aug 2019 203,140 miles

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

Nearside Front Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted (2.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 28 Aug 2018 197,346 miles

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

Fail 24 Aug 2018 197,346 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) incorrectly mounted (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

Offside steering damper slight play in bush

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel play in lower uj (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 16 Aug 2017 191,357 miles

Offside Front brake is binding

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' x2 (8.3.1a)

Fail 16 Aug 2017 191,357 miles

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Offside Front brake is binding

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' x2 (8.3.1a)

Pass 27 Aug 2016 186,225 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Aug 2016 186,225 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Aug 2015 175,417 miles

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

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

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

Pass 27 Aug 2014 164,827 miles

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

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

Fail 20 Aug 2014 164,633 miles

Brake servo damaged and its function is impaired (3.6.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

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

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

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

Pass 7 Aug 2013 151,122 miles

Lower Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

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

Upper Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Fail 24 Jul 2013 150,635 miles

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

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

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

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

Pass 3 Aug 2012 137,753 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)

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Upper Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

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

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

Fail 2 Aug 2012 137,742 miles

Brake servo excessively weakened by corrosion (3.6.A.2b)

Brake vacuum build up too slow (3.3.E.6)

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

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

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

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

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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)

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Upper Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

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

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

Pass 3 Aug 2011 124,856 miles

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 3 Aug 2011 124,856 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 19 Aug 2010 131,906 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Fail 18 Aug 2010 131,902 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 27 Aug 2009 101,645 miles

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

Fail 27 Aug 2009 101,644 miles

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

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

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

Pass 27 Aug 2008 87,671 miles
Pass 31 Aug 2007 75,180 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2007 75,178 miles

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

Offside Steering damper deformed and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 29 Aug 2006 62,736 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

BU52 JZA is a 2002 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

Across all 2002 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.1% with a typical mileage of 91,689 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 BU52 JZA, 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 24 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 BU52 JZA?

You can check the full history of BU52 JZA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BU52 JZA registered?

BU52 JZA is a 2002 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 18 September 2002.

Is BU52 JZA safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU52 JZA shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BU52 JZA 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 BU52 JZA. 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.