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MK53 TFO

2003 Land Rover Discovery

Black Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Jun 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

197,915 mi
Last recorded197,915 miles
Recorded on24 Jun 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Discovery100,620 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationMK53 TFO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDiscovery
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 24 Jun 2025 197,915 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Coolant leak

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule Both N/S and O/S (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 29 May 2025 197,901 miles

Nearside Front Brake prescribed area is excessively corroded ABS hydraulic unit area. (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Chassis rail area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Coolant leak ()

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule Both N/S and O/S. (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Pass 13 Mar 2024 192,980 miles

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

Nearside Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Fail 9 Feb 2024 192,977 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Jan 2023 184,449 miles

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 16 Jan 2023 184,443 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Rear suspension swivel are mount area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Upper shock mount area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated And has play. (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Brake fluid warning light is on.

Coolant low.

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

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 18 Jan 2022 174,839 miles

N/S and O/S chassis rails corroded.

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Fail 12 Jan 2022 174,837 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play Rear side. (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength At upper shock mount area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

N/S and O/S chassis rails corroded.

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 22 Dec 2020 163,980 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 16 Nov 2020 163,978 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Exhaust section missing. (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded Onto flexi. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Upper shock mount area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Fuel hose leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Coolant leak ()

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 12 Nov 2019 143,085 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear foot step weakened and corroded.

Fail 2 Nov 2019 141,936 miles

Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Upper spring and shock mount. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear foot step weakened and corroded.

Pass 1 Nov 2018 129,056 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2017 120,557 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2016 115,988 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear brake disc back-plate missing?

Oil leak underside of engine ()

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear step to rear door, plunger broken away

Fail 2 Dec 2016 115,986 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing pedal rubber (3.3.A.1b)

Nearside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement road wheel binding (3.5.1k)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid inopertive (8.2.3)

Offside Front coil spring broken lower coil (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid inopertive (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear brake disc back-plate missing?

Oil leak underside of engine ()

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear step to rear door, plunger broken away

Pass 4 Dec 2015 113,726 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2015 110,472 miles
Fail 20 Jan 2014 105,634 miles

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

Pass 20 Jan 2014 105,634 miles
Pass 4 Jan 2013 98,534 miles
Pass 17 Nov 2011 95,577 miles
Fail 29 Oct 2010 92,491 miles

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

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

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

Pass 29 Oct 2010 92,491 miles

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

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

Pass 31 Oct 2009 81,548 miles
Pass 31 Oct 2008 70,539 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2007 56,944 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2006 44,972 miles

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

How Reliable is the Land Rover Discovery?

Based on 4,388,972 MOT tests across 325,470 vehicles.

72.7%
Pass Rate
6,904
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
325,470
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 153,632
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 141,712
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 136,366
position lamp(s) not working 91,214
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 88,089
Full Land Rover Discovery reliability report

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MK53 TFO is a 2003 Land Rover Discovery in Black with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

Across all 2003 Land Rover Discovery models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.2% with a typical mileage of 100,620 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 Discovery fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 153,632 recorded failures. If you're considering buying MK53 TFO, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Discovery typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 23 years old, this Land Rover Discovery is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of MK53 TFO?

You can check the full history of MK53 TFO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MK53 TFO registered?

MK53 TFO is a 2003 Land Rover Discovery, first registered on 25 September 2003.

Is MK53 TFO safe to buy?

The MOT history for MK53 TFO shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MK53 TFO 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 MK53 TFO. 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.