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SB53 MLB

2003 Land Rover Discovery

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Oct 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

176,884 mi
Last recorded176,884 miles
Recorded on9 Oct 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

RegistrationSB53 MLB
MakeLand Rover
ModelDiscovery
Year2003
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 9 Oct 2025 176,884 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2025 176,865 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Oct 2024 173,158 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust Flange corroded

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

Fail 14 Oct 2024 173,158 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Exhaust Flange corroded

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

Pass 17 Oct 2023 167,499 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated o/s & n/s front (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated o/s & n/s rear (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule o/s & n/s rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Headlamp lens slightly defective o/s & n/s (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak from o/s rear hub seal

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Rear chassis. Heavy surface corrosion in some areas. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

o/s & n/s centre outriggers corroded

Pass 15 Oct 2022 161,111 miles

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear hub oil leak

Rear Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Oct 2022 161,017 miles

Central Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced stay bar mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced by shock top mounting (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear hub oil leak

Rear Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Sep 2021 156,082 miles

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 28 Sep 2021 156,082 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Oct 2020 151,776 miles

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

Fail 19 Oct 2020 151,776 miles

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 9 Oct 2019 145,473 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 8 Oct 2019 145,456 miles

Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 25 Oct 2018 137,262 miles

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

Pass 18 Oct 2017 128,605 miles

exhaust joint center to rear very rusty

Fail 16 Oct 2017 128,590 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking hub seal leaking on to brakes (3.6.A.1)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) uj joint tight (2.2.A.1a)

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

exhaust joint center to rear very rusty

Pass 13 Oct 2016 122,814 miles

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

o/s wiper split

Pass 14 Oct 2015 118,789 miles

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

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

child seats fiited

Pass 14 Oct 2014 115,360 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 9 Oct 2014 115,346 miles

Axle has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

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

Fail 22 Oct 2013 111,718 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Pass 22 Oct 2013 111,718 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 May 2012 105,677 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Fail 28 May 2012 105,677 miles

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Pass 24 May 2011 96,475 miles
Fail 24 May 2011 96,475 miles

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Pass 10 Jun 2010 87,966 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2009 71,614 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2009 71,353 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

O/S/F Half Shaft Seal Leaking

Pass 8 May 2008 31,475 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 8 May 2008 31,475 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 26 May 2007 32,608 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2006 24,287 miles

oil leak

unable to see pads

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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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

SB53 MLB is a 2003 Land Rover Discovery in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 SB53 MLB, 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 SB53 MLB?

You can check the full history of SB53 MLB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SB53 MLB registered?

SB53 MLB is a 2003 Land Rover Discovery, first registered on 10 October 2003.

Is SB53 MLB safe to buy?

The MOT history for SB53 MLB shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SB53 MLB 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 SB53 MLB. 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.