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DC53 FHN

2004 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Sep 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

73,014 mi
Last recorded73,014 miles
Recorded on25 Sep 2025
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationDC53 FHN
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

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 25 Sep 2025 73,014 miles

Coil spring corroded Both front. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both rear. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 18 Sep 2025 72,949 miles

Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

Coil spring corroded Both front. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both rear. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Sep 2024 71,856 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension rod 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 Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Fail 3 Sep 2024 71,816 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis/rear cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis/ cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt axle upper ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension rod 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 Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 30 Aug 2023 69,770 miles

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

Coil spring corroded Both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 28 Jun 2023 69,145 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 20 Jun 2022 67,480 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2022 67,480 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Pass 27 May 2021 66,145 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

centre exhaust corroding

front chassis

may have been a fuel leak at tank (damp)

Fail 26 May 2021 66,145 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

centre exhaust corroding

front chassis

may have been a fuel leak at tank (damp)

Pass 26 Mar 2020 64,126 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

engine cover and under trays fitted

Fail 26 Mar 2020 64,125 miles

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

engine cover and under trays fitted

Pass 26 Feb 2019 62,921 miles

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 22 Feb 2019 62,915 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 17 Jan 2018 60,408 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 11 Jan 2018 60,390 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 20 Jan 2017 58,190 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Anti roll bar mounting (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Anti roll bar mounting (2.4.A.3)

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Fail 19 Jan 2017 58,190 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded Master cylinder - brake valve (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Anti roll bar mounting (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Anti roll bar mounting (2.4.A.3)

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Pass 5 Jan 2016 56,074 miles

Centre/rear exhaust rusty on flange/bolts

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

Pass 2 Jan 2015 52,179 miles

Exhaust flange of centre section is getting rusty.

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

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

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

clutch pipe to slave cylinder is starting to get rusty.

Pass 8 Jan 2014 48,868 miles

Front hubs wet

No seat belt fitted to rear seats

Fail 2 Jan 2014 48,868 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

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

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

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

Front hubs wet

No seat belt fitted to rear seats

Pass 5 Feb 2013 45,855 miles
Pass 24 Jan 2012 42,073 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2011 39,496 miles

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

Pass 19 Jan 2010 35,927 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Jan 2009 32,543 miles
Pass 30 Jan 2008 28,429 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2007 22,456 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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DC53 FHN is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 DC53 FHN, 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 DC53 FHN?

You can check the full history of DC53 FHN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DC53 FHN registered?

DC53 FHN is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 20 January 2004.

Is DC53 FHN safe to buy?

The MOT history for DC53 FHN shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does DC53 FHN 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 DC53 FHN. 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.