CarVerify

Free Car Check

YB53 ELH

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

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

Mileage

131,646 mi
Last recorded131,646 miles
Recorded on20 Mar 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 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

RegistrationYB53 ELH
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 20 Mar 2025 131,646 miles

Offside Front Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Power steering reservoir connection (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 20 Mar 2025 131,646 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering box drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Power steering reservoir connection (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Mar 2024 127,872 miles

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

Pass 20 Mar 2023 126,458 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2023 126,458 miles

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

Pass 24 Mar 2022 124,427 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2021 118,839 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive Various leaks around engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Mar 2021 118,834 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Manifold/EGR area when cold (6.1.2 (a))

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

Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Along axle (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive Various leaks around engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Mar 2020 111,745 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Across axle (1.1.11 (c))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 4 Mar 2020 111,745 miles

Offside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury Bulkhead corroded and holed (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour Lens discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Rear crossmember either side of towbar (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Across axle (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Bulkhead corroded and holed (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 8 Mar 2019 104,057 miles

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

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

Fail 7 Mar 2019 104,057 miles

Nearside 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))

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 19 Mar 2018 96,814 miles

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

Fail 12 Mar 2018 966,994 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Power steering ram(s) leaking from a failed component (2.3.3b)

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

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

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

Pass 3 Mar 2017 89,571 miles

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

Pass 15 Mar 2016 82,816 miles

both front hubs have gear oil leak but not to failure

both wiper blades split at ends but still clearing screen

slight movement on o/s front hub

Pass 12 Mar 2015 75,129 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 5 Mar 2014 68,151 miles
Fail 27 Feb 2014 68,115 miles

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

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

Power steering pump leaking from a failed component (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 14 Mar 2013 62,230 miles

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

Pass 21 Mar 2012 56,488 miles

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

Fail 21 Mar 2012 56,488 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

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

Pass 17 Mar 2011 49,559 miles

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

rear hardy spicer worn

Fail 17 Mar 2011 49,559 miles

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

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

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

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

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

rear hardy spicer worn

Pass 18 Mar 2010 42,452 miles

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

Pass 17 Mar 2009 36,002 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2008 30,255 miles

Nearside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Pass 10 Nov 2006 23,773 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly 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

YB53 ELH is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue 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 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 YB53 ELH, 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 YB53 ELH?

You can check the full history of YB53 ELH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YB53 ELH registered?

YB53 ELH is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 28 November 2003.

Is YB53 ELH safe to buy?

The MOT history for YB53 ELH 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 YB53 ELH 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 YB53 ELH. 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.