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YB53 ELW

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Jul 2027
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

74,047 mi
Last recorded74,047 miles
Recorded on14 Jul 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationYB53 ELW
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

21 pass 5 fail
Pass 14 Jul 2026 74,047 miles

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

Fail 9 Jul 2026 74,039 miles

Offside Front Power steering component leaking steering box leaking badly (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm from steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine dripping on floor (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements obscured by ladder (0.1 (d))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel both rear (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 10 Jul 2025 72,278 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Jul 2025 72,264 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2024 71,114 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Outer step corroded

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

modified seats a little shaky but not insecure

Fail 4 Jul 2024 71,100 miles

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Outer step corroded

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

modified seats a little shaky but not insecure

Pass 7 Jul 2023 68,949 miles

slight leak at steering box

Pass 27 Jun 2022 67,184 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively both corroded (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (e))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged plastic cover missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (e))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both front and off side rear perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 27 Jun 2022 67,184 miles

Fuel system component leaking fuel pressure regulator (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively both corroded (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (e))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported at chassis leg (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged plastic cover missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox and transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box wet (2.1.5 (a))

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (e))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 7 Jul 2021 63,996 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 10 Jul 2020 62,007 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2019 60,582 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2018 58,260 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2017 55,921 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2016 51,908 miles

engine covers fitted

Pass 19 Jun 2015 50,820 miles
Pass 10 Nov 2014 48,495 miles
Pass 5 Nov 2013 44,492 miles
Pass 19 Nov 2012 40,315 miles
Pass 17 Nov 2011 35,965 miles
Pass 8 Nov 2010 31,271 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2010 31,271 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2009 27,107 miles
Pass 10 Nov 2008 22,038 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2007 17,166 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2006 12,234 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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YB53 ELW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 ELW, 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 ELW?

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

What year was YB53 ELW registered?

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

Is YB53 ELW safe to buy?

The MOT history for YB53 ELW shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YB53 ELW 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 ELW. 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.