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CU04 ESF

2004 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Mar 2027
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

190,400 mi
Last recorded190,400 miles
Recorded on16 Feb 2026
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCU04 ESF
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2004
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 14 fail
Pass 16 Feb 2026 190,400 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2026 190,400 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Pass 27 Feb 2025 185,788 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 27 Feb 2025 185,788 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut from edge greater than 2mm (7.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 29 Feb 2024 182,066 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Fail 28 Feb 2024 182,066 miles

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Feb 2023 178,512 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Feb 2022 174,521 miles

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

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

Fail 21 Feb 2022 174,521 miles

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

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

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

Pass 24 Feb 2021 170,835 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

Fail 23 Feb 2021 170,834 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Feb 2020 166,963 miles

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

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

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

Pass 19 Feb 2019 163,239 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Feb 2018 158,365 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2017 154,776 miles

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

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

Offside Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 22 Feb 2017 154,776 miles

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

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 18 Feb 2016 150,563 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened slight webbing damage (5.2.2a)

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

Fail 15 Feb 2016 150,547 miles

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened slight webbing damage (5.2.2a)

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

Pass 17 Feb 2015 144,896 miles

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

Nearside Rear rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Fail 17 Feb 2015 144,896 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover insecure 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)

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

Nearside Rear rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Pass 28 Feb 2014 132,876 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 25 Feb 2014 132,831 miles

Centre Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Nearside Front Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 Feb 2013 119,712 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

front and rear tyres worn unevenly

Pass 1 Mar 2012 105,111 miles

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

offside steering damper bush slight play

Fail 29 Feb 2012 105,027 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

offside steering damper bush slight play

Pass 26 Feb 2011 90,255 miles

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

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)

Fail 25 Feb 2011 90,240 miles

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b) DANGEROUS

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

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)

Pass 19 Feb 2010 75,683 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2010 75,672 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Feb 2009 60,972 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Fail 25 Feb 2009 60,963 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 26 Feb 2008 48,498 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2007 34,451 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2007 34,443 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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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CU04 ESF is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 2004 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.0% with a typical mileage of 81,117 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 CU04 ESF, 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 22 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 CU04 ESF?

You can check the full history of CU04 ESF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CU04 ESF registered?

CU04 ESF is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 2 March 2004.

Is CU04 ESF safe to buy?

The MOT history for CU04 ESF shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CU04 ESF 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 CU04 ESF. 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.