CarVerify

Free Car Check

CU54 GXH

2004 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jan 2027
Tests30 (16 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate53.3%

Mileage

137,136 mi
Last recorded137,136 miles
Recorded on16 Jan 2026
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 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

RegistrationCU54 GXH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2004
ColourBlue
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

16 pass 14 fail
Pass 16 Jan 2026 137,136 miles

Chassis and components / brake pipes/hoses,etc. Coated,/ wax/oil product treated, restricting full inspection of all components and/or repairs.

Fail 16 Jan 2026 137,136 miles

Chassis and components / brake pipes/hoses,etc. Coated,/ wax/oil product treated, restricting full inspection of all components and/or repairs.

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Dec 2025 137,101 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened offside and nearside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced crossmember offside and nearside (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember behind towbar (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting fuel tank support behind tow hitch (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 6 Jun 2022 136,796 miles

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

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

Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened Offside and Nearside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive at bump stop mountings. Offside and Nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner X member. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 6 Jun 2022 136,796 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened Offside and Nearside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive at bump stop mountings. Offside and Nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner X member. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 30 Mar 2021 134,606 miles

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

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

Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play above diff (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear, and general light corrosion (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Apr 2020 132,728 miles

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

Pass 4 Apr 2019 127,711 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 4 Apr 2019 127,711 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect bulb incorrectly fitted (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 26 Mar 2018 121,903 miles

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion General (6.1.B.2)

Towbar component slightly corroded (6.6.1)

Fail 13 Mar 2018 121,767 miles

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

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement hockey stick front bushes (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings crossmember (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion General (6.1.B.2)

Towbar component slightly corroded (6.6.1)

Pass 13 Mar 2017 116,419 miles

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion crossmember (6.1.B.2)

o/s and n/s front swivel joints leaking slightly

Fail 9 Mar 2017 116,419 miles

Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion crossmember (6.1.B.2)

o/s and n/s front swivel joints leaking slightly

Pass 26 Feb 2016 110,580 miles

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

Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Fail 10 Feb 2016 110,486 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded rear to front (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint propshaft (2.4.G.4b)

Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings crossmemnber in various locatios (6.1.B.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules various (3.6.B.4e)

Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement offside and nearside "hockey stick arms" (2.4.G.2)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened offside and nearside (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front swivel housing leaking oil

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

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

offside front swivel housing leaking oil

Pass 6 Feb 2015 102,742 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 6 Feb 2015 102,742 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Rear fog lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.3.2d)

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 10 Feb 2014 950,918 miles

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

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 10 Feb 2014 950,918 miles

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 5 Feb 2013 97,137 miles

Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Fail 5 Feb 2013 97,137 miles

Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

Driver's door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

Front passenger door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.B.2)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Fail 10 Jan 2012 80,396 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Rear fog lamp damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.3.2d)

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 10 Jan 2012 80,396 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Rear fog lamp damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.3.2d)

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 17 Dec 2010 73,923 miles

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

Fail 17 Dec 2010 73,923 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 18 Dec 2009 67,250 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2008 59,342 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 28 Nov 2008 59,342 miles

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

Pass 30 Nov 2007 48,179 miles
Fail 29 Nov 2007 48,179 miles

Centre Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

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

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

CU54 GXH is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.3%.

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 CU54 GXH, 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 CU54 GXH?

You can check the full history of CU54 GXH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CU54 GXH registered?

CU54 GXH is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 8 December 2004.

Is CU54 GXH safe to buy?

The MOT history for CU54 GXH shows 30 tests with a 53.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CU54 GXH 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 CU54 GXH. 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.