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YK53 USV

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Aug 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

146,617 mi
Last recorded146,617 miles
Recorded on28 Aug 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

RegistrationYK53 USV
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGreen
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 28 Aug 2025 146,617 miles

Nearside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Sidewall cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Sidewall cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Underneath coated in heavy wax oil

Fail 28 Aug 2025 146,617 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Sidewall cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Sidewall cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Underneath coated in heavy wax oil

Pass 12 Dec 2023 145,216 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear cross member badly corroded on inside and lower faces (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 4 Dec 2023 145,216 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering linkage insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings steering coupling, locking bolt (shear bolt) loose (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement pan hard bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear cross member badly corroded on inside and lower faces (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2022 141,163 miles

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

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

Offside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 30 Nov 2022 141,150 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play Box to column shaft (2.2.2 (c))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Pass 24 Nov 2021 134,059 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Nov 2020 128,065 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Damaged (0.1 (b))

Pass 3 Dec 2019 122,149 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

Fail 22 Nov 2019 122,147 miles

Nearside Front Cab steps so insecure it is likely to cause injury (6.2.8 (a) (ii))

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

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

Pass 27 Nov 2018 115,361 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

no power source for engine temp

Fail 26 Nov 2018 115,361 miles

Track rod end seriously misaligned track rod tube bent front(rear of wheel). (2.1.3 (e))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

no power source for engine temp

Pass 27 Nov 2017 111,003 miles

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

Pass 3 Nov 2016 108,589 miles

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel hub weaping from rear seal

Oil leak ()

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Pass 11 Nov 2015 103,912 miles

Nearside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 7 Nov 2015 103,912 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 10 Nov 2014 99,383 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 5 Nov 2014 99,383 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Oil leak

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Pass 5 Nov 2013 96,112 miles

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

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

Pass 3 Nov 2012 86,079 miles

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

Fail 27 Oct 2012 86,079 miles

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

Nearside Rear Panhard rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Panhard rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 5 Nov 2011 74,957 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Propshaft component defective

Pass 5 Nov 2011 74,957 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Propshaft component defective

Pass 8 Nov 2010 68,522 miles

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

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

slight weap o/s front stub axle

Pass 23 Oct 2009 59,618 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2008 52,406 miles

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

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 23 Oct 2007 45,645 miles

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

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 16 Oct 2006 27,709 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

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

YK53 USV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green 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 YK53 USV, 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 YK53 USV?

You can check the full history of YK53 USV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YK53 USV registered?

YK53 USV is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 2003.

Is YK53 USV safe to buy?

The MOT history for YK53 USV 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 YK53 USV 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 YK53 USV. 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.