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BV52 RAU

2003 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Dec 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

74,604 mi
Last recorded74,604 miles
Recorded on15 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBV52 RAU
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 9 fail
Pass 15 Dec 2025 74,604 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth Rubber (1.1.2 (c))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Axel swivel ball pin play detected

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Fog light Len’s cover damaged

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

Offside and nearside front axle ball swivel Pin housings slightly weeping oil

Rear Coil spring corroded Both rears (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 5 Dec 2025 74,603 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected Also sharp edges (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play Drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Brake pedal wearing smooth Rubber (1.1.2 (c))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Axel swivel ball pin play detected

Nearside Rear Side light Len’s cover damaged

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Fog light Len’s cover damaged

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

Offside and nearside front axle ball swivel Pin housings slightly weeping oil

Rear Coil spring corroded Both rears (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 28 Oct 2024 74,884 miles

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

Nearside front indicator lens damaged

Nearside rear brake light lens damaged

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged Cracked (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 25 Oct 2024 740,884 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture Front to rear brake pipe corroded in various sections (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system Front section of front rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside front indicator lens damaged

Nearside rear brake light lens damaged

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged Cracked (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Aug 2023 73,869 miles

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

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wing support rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 1 Aug 2023 73,869 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wing support rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 8 Jul 2022 72,932 miles

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

Fail 4 Jul 2022 72,932 miles

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2021 72,520 miles

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

Pass 2 Mar 2020 71,791 miles

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

Fail 20 Feb 2020 71,790 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Rear hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Rear hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 18 Feb 2019 93,943 miles

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

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2018 69,283 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2017 68,392 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Jan 2016 66,901 miles
Pass 10 Jan 2015 64,112 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 3 Jan 2014 60,276 miles
Fail 2 Jan 2014 60,276 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Pass 15 Dec 2012 55,647 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Dec 2011 50,060 miles

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

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

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

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

Slight play in steering box

Fail 21 Dec 2011 50,060 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

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

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

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

Slight play in steering box

Pass 20 Dec 2010 43,571 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2010 43,571 miles

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 22 Dec 2009 38,364 miles

Front number plate damaged

Fail 22 Dec 2009 38,364 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Front number plate damaged

Pass 12 Dec 2008 33,863 miles
Pass 13 Dec 2007 30,736 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2006 27,344 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2006 24,440 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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BV52 RAU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 BV52 RAU, 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 BV52 RAU?

You can check the full history of BV52 RAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BV52 RAU registered?

BV52 RAU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 24 February 2003.

Is BV52 RAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for BV52 RAU shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BV52 RAU 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 BV52 RAU. 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.