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YF53 ORW

2003 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Feb 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

159,021 mi
Last recorded159,021 miles
Recorded on24 Feb 2026
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

RegistrationYF53 ORW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourRed
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 9 fail
Pass 24 Feb 2026 159,021 miles

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

Nearside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Pass 12 Feb 2025 145,639 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 13 Feb 2024 132,161 miles

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play a frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Feb 2024 132,161 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre box (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play a frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Jan 2023 128,274 miles

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive seat box (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

reverse lamp not working

Fail 25 Jan 2023 128,273 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn radius arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced seatbelt reel mount (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn radius arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced seat belt reel mount (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced seat box (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

reverse lamp not working

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive seat box (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Pass 22 Dec 2021 124,787 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2021 121,365 miles

Seat belt flexible stalk damaged drivers (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed drivers (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Jan 2021 121,339 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.3 (a))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Seat belt flexible stalk damaged drivers (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed drivers (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Jan 2020 117,703 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2018 117,652 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2018 117,652 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Front bump stop missing

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Pass 24 May 2018 117,575 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2018 117,569 miles

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

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

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

Service brake grabbing severely (3.7.C.2)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

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

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

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i) DANGEROUS

Parking brake operation grabbing slightly (3.7.C.3b)

Rear Propshaft universal joint worn ()

Pass 27 Apr 2017 111,621 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Suspension weakened but no possibility of the body or a component fouling a road wheel (2.4.A.1b)

Pass 25 Apr 2016 202,899 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2016 202,896 miles

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

Pass 29 Apr 2015 93,214 miles

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 23 Apr 2015 93,209 miles

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

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

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 25 Apr 2014 80,781 miles

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

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

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

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

rear propshaft universal joints worn

Fail 24 Apr 2014 80,781 miles

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

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

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

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

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

rear propshaft universal joints worn

Pass 29 Jan 2013 66,482 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2011 60,972 miles
Pass 6 Jan 2011 52,902 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2011 52,889 miles

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

Pass 31 Dec 2009 44,698 miles
Pass 22 Dec 2008 34,609 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Dec 2007 23,418 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2006 127,546 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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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.

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YF53 ORW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 YF53 ORW, 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 YF53 ORW?

You can check the full history of YF53 ORW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YF53 ORW registered?

YF53 ORW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 November 2003.

Is YF53 ORW safe to buy?

The MOT history for YF53 ORW shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YF53 ORW 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 YF53 ORW. 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.