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BU52 NLF

2002 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Apr 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

239,680 mi
Last recorded239,680 miles
Recorded on7 Apr 2026
Typical for 2002 Land Rover Defender91,689 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU52 NLF
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2002
ColourRed
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 7 Apr 2026 239,680 miles

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

Fail 24 Mar 2026 239,673 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Pitman arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Indicator switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 15 Apr 2024 236,673 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Feb 2023 230,151 miles
Fail 11 Feb 2023 230,151 miles

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

Pass 9 Feb 2022 223,470 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front hub seal has slight leak

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front hub seal has slight leak

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to back to flexi hose (1.1.11 (c))

Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting rear crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 8 Jan 2021 212,766 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2019 190,849 miles

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play on drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm triangle plate bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm triangle plate bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 15 Jul 2019 190,849 miles

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play on drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm triangle plate bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm triangle plate bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 18 Jul 2018 166,237 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2018 166,214 miles

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fuel system component leaking excessively or a risk of fire filter (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

oil low

Pass 17 Jul 2017 137,089 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Jun 2016 116,873 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 6 Jun 2016 116,868 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Jun 2015 99,992 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 4 Jun 2014 84,427 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 4 Jun 2014 84,423 miles

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Oil leak

Pass 15 Jun 2013 71,923 miles
Pass 19 Nov 2012 70,271 miles

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

Fail 15 Nov 2012 70,271 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2011 65,690 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 26 Nov 2010 60,964 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 24 Nov 2009 55,802 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2008 50,195 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2007 44,321 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Pass 11 Nov 2006 38,016 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Pass 15 Nov 2005 29,774 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.

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BU52 NLF is a 2002 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 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 BU52 NLF, 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 NLF?

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

What year was BU52 NLF registered?

BU52 NLF is a 2002 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 2002.

Is BU52 NLF safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU52 NLF 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 BU52 NLF 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 NLF. 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.