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BV52 RGU

2003 Land Rover Defender

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 Jul 2026
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

199,070 mi
Last recorded199,070 miles
Recorded on14 Jul 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBV52 RGU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlack
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

18 pass 9 fail
Pass 14 Jul 2025 199,070 miles

All underside heavily under sealed

Pass 8 Jul 2024 193,139 miles

Both front shocks casing corroded

Brake disc worn, but not excessively Both front (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Shock bush worn

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

Seatbelt slightly damaged o/s/f

Pass 25 May 2023 184,123 miles

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

Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch (5.2.3 (f))

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

Pass 2 Nov 2021 173,072 miles

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

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

Nearside Lower Front passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Offside Lower Driver's door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Other passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

vehicle has been undersealed

Fail 25 Oct 2021 173,027 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))

Nearside Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))

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

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

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

Nearside Lower Front passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Offside Lower Driver's door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Other passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

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

vehicle has been undersealed

Fail 22 Oct 2021 172,872 miles

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.2.1 (a))

Exhaust catalytic converter obviously modified (8.2.2.1 (a))

Exhaust fumes entering cabin (6.1.2 (b) (i))

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Front passenger door hinge insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

Nearside Rear Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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 Other passenger door hinge insecure (6.2.3 (c) (ii))

Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn both rear (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2020 157,283 miles

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

Nearside Rear seat removed at time of test

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage at steering box area (2.1.5 (a))

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

Fail 12 Oct 2020 157,251 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))

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

Nearside Rear seat removed at time of test

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage at steering box area (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 10 Oct 2019 141,726 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Oct 2019 141,726 miles

Windscreen wiper not working both (3.4 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 Nov 2017 138,456 miles

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

Nearside Rear door outer handle missing

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

Fail 10 Nov 2017 138,358 miles

Nearside Front passenger door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

Offside Drag link end 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)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint around steering box (2.3.3b)

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

Nearside Rear outer door handle missing

Pass 2 Feb 2016 131,441 miles

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Fail 2 Feb 2016 131,441 miles

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Rear Fuel system component leaking fuel filter corroded (7.2.3)

Pass 29 Jan 2015 122,991 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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 29 Jan 2014 110,599 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Pass 25 Jan 2013 104,499 miles

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jan 2012 98,194 miles

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

Fail 20 Jan 2012 98,194 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Pass 4 Feb 2011 85,102 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Rear brake discs worn

Fail 3 Feb 2011 85,102 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Rear brake discs worn

Pass 7 Jan 2010 74,319 miles
Pass 9 Oct 2008 71,606 miles
Pass 29 Oct 2007 60,385 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2007 48,890 miles

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 23 Jan 2006 35,462 miles
Fail 23 Jan 2006 35,462 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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 RGU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 RGU, 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 RGU?

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

What year was BV52 RGU registered?

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

Is BV52 RGU safe to buy?

The MOT history for BV52 RGU shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BV52 RGU 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 RGU. 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.