CarVerify

Free Car Check

BU53 MJV

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Apr 2027
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

161,819 mi
Last recorded161,819 miles
Recorded on4 Apr 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU53 MJV
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 10 fail
Pass 4 Apr 2026 161,819 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Both rear discs (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Pass 24 Apr 2025 160,340 miles

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

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Pass 28 Mar 2024 159,921 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Fail 4 Dec 2023 159,899 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Footwell (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting Mounting under rear seat (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Footwell (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting Mounting under rear seat (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Pass 5 Dec 2022 157,005 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Drop arm from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 5 Dec 2022 157,005 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Drop arm from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 22 Nov 2021 155,719 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Drop arm ball joint from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 22 Nov 2021 155,719 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Drop arm ball joint from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 26 Nov 2020 153,052 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Ball joint on drop arm from steering box (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 15 May 2019 146,474 miles
Pass 24 May 2018 142,015 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

Fail 14 May 2018 142,002 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

Pass 22 May 2017 135,804 miles
Pass 25 May 2016 129,527 miles

Front Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Pass 13 May 2015 122,692 miles

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

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

Fail 12 May 2015 122,692 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Pass 14 May 2014 117,738 miles
Fail 14 May 2014 117,738 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

Fail 30 May 2013 114,037 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Pass 30 May 2013 114,037 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2011 106,827 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2011 106,827 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 30 Sep 2010 101,083 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 30 Sep 2010 101,083 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 28 Aug 2009 92,890 miles

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

Fail 28 Aug 2009 928,840 miles

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

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

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

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

front propshaft bolts insecure retaining parking brake drum

Pass 2 Sep 2008 82,092 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Sep 2007 71,287 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2006 59,263 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

BU53 MJV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 BU53 MJV, 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 BU53 MJV?

You can check the full history of BU53 MJV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BU53 MJV registered?

BU53 MJV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 September 2003.

Is BU53 MJV safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU53 MJV shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BU53 MJV 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 BU53 MJV. 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.