CarVerify

Free Car Check

BV52 RDX

2003 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Jan 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

132,836 mi
Last recorded132,836 miles
Recorded on22 Jan 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

RegistrationBV52 RDX
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 22 Jan 2026 132,836 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2025 132,282 miles

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jan 2025 132,253 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jan 2024 130,865 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jan 2023 129,533 miles
Pass 21 Jan 2022 126,783 miles

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Track Rod End Boot (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 26 Jan 2021 124,996 miles

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 22 Jan 2021 124,968 miles

Brake servo damaged and function impaired (1.1.3 (e))

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both front wiper blades split (3.4 (b) (ii))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 24 Jan 2020 123,085 miles

Nearside Rear hub seal sweating oil

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

exhaust hanger corroded

Fail 17 Jan 2020 123,057 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear hub seal sweating oil

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

exhaust hanger corroded

Pass 19 Jan 2019 120,607 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 5 Jan 2018 118,428 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2017 116,249 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component possible leak from steering box (2.3.3b)

Pass 20 Jan 2016 113,563 miles

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

Fail 13 Jan 2016 113,563 miles

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

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

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

Pass 14 Feb 2014 106,158 miles

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

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

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

exhaust system rusty in places

nearside rear tyre perishing on inner side wall

offside front wheel bearing slightly rough when rotated

Fail 13 Feb 2014 106,153 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

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

Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

exhaust system rusty in places

nearside rear tyre perishing on inner side wall

offside front wheel bearing slightly rough when rotated

Pass 12 Feb 2013 100,592 miles

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

Oil leak

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

offside front wheel bearing slighty noisy when rotated

Pass 13 Feb 2012 98,183 miles

Oil leak

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

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

Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 13 Feb 2012 98,183 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Pass 28 Feb 2011 94,956 miles

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

Fail 28 Feb 2011 94,956 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

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

Pass 19 May 2010 86,845 miles
Fail 18 May 2010 86,845 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 19 May 2009 69,488 miles

slight handbrake travel

Pass 9 Dec 2008 69,206 miles
Pass 29 Jan 2008 63,524 miles
Pass 9 Jan 2007 57,642 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2006 45,034 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

BV52 RDX 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 72.4%.

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 RDX, 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 RDX?

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

What year was BV52 RDX registered?

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

Is BV52 RDX safe to buy?

The MOT history for BV52 RDX shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BV52 RDX 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 RDX. 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.