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YB52 DHU

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Dec 2026
Tests28 (15 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate53.6%

Mileage

135,502 mi
Last recorded135,502 miles
Recorded on8 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationYB52 DHU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGrey
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

15 pass 13 fail
Pass 8 Dec 2025 135,502 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2025 135,499 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

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 Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 25 Nov 2024 132,965 miles
Fail 13 Nov 2024 132,964 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel Inner pad contaminated (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 18 Oct 2023 128,087 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2023 128,087 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Steering system excessively rough Notchy/tight spots (2.1.1 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high Adjusted (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. Adjusted (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 11 Mar 2022 125,553 miles

Nearside Rear Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 10 Mar 2022 125,552 miles

Passenger's seat with a defective structure (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 11 Nov 2016 123,227 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Rear x member corroded near body mounts

Fail 24 Oct 2016 123,218 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion both sides bumper (6.1.C.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Seat belt cut sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded both sides (3.6.B.4e)

Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view (8.2.1c)

Centre Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Centre x member corroded near body mounts

Front Propshaft universal joint worn ()

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Rear Propshaft universal joint worn ()

Pass 4 Nov 2015 122,093 miles

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

Fail 30 Oct 2015 122,084 miles

Direction indicators not working all front and rear (1.4.A.2c)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative all (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

Pass 18 Oct 2014 118,019 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 13 Oct 2014 118,010 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

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

Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

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

Pass 11 Oct 2013 110,031 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2013 110,022 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Nearside Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

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

Rear Trailer electrical socket damaged so that lead cannot be securely connected (1.9.3b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 5 Oct 2012 105,622 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Fail 4 Oct 2012 103,613 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

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

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

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

Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 31 Aug 2011 89,629 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

Fail 30 Aug 2011 89,620 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 6 Apr 2010 77,215 miles
Fail 26 Mar 2010 76,692 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Pass 22 Apr 2009 59,336 miles
Fail 22 Apr 2009 59,336 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 19 Jan 2008 486,389 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2008 486,389 miles

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 3 Jan 2007 36,185 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2006 25,412 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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YB52 DHU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.6%.

Across all 2003 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.7% with a typical mileage of 86,068 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 YB52 DHU, 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 23 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 YB52 DHU?

You can check the full history of YB52 DHU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YB52 DHU registered?

YB52 DHU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 January 2003.

Is YB52 DHU safe to buy?

The MOT history for YB52 DHU shows 28 tests with a 53.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YB52 DHU 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 YB52 DHU. 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.