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YK53 UTE

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Jan 2027
Tests25 (18 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate72%

Mileage

163,794 mi
Last recorded163,794 miles
Recorded on5 Jan 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

RegistrationYK53 UTE
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

18 pass 7 fail
Pass 5 Jan 2026 163,794 miles

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

Rear cross member corroded

Pass 3 Jan 2025 163,477 miles

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 4 Jan 2024 163,010 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slightly corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides rear slightly corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear panel cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 4 Jan 2024 163,002 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slightly corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides rear slightly corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear panel cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Nov 2021 162,916 miles

back panel corroded

Fail 12 Nov 2021 162,906 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel no brake pressure (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel all 4 brakes (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

back panel corroded

Pass 6 Nov 2020 162,318 miles

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both rear (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear panel (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear tow bar has been removed

Fail 5 Nov 2020 162,313 miles

Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached back panel (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 16 Oct 2019 161,118 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 16 Oct 2019 161,118 miles

Central Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting rear panel coroded (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 16 Nov 2018 159,570 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both rear along axle (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both rear shockers upper and lower (5.3.2 (c))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

recommend rear brakes be serviced

Pass 29 Sep 2017 155,246 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Rear bump stop missing

Offside Rear bump stop missing

Pass 23 Sep 2016 153,680 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Sep 2015 149,319 miles

Both rear rubber bump stops missing .

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 25 Sep 2014 142,822 miles

Nearside Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

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

front number plate damaged not affected lettering

n/s/f swivel housing leaking

Pass 9 Sep 2013 135,005 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

middle seat belt stalk plastic cover missing

small hole in n/s/r cross member

Pass 20 Sep 2012 128,905 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

cut in o/s/r tyre in tread

front wiper blades smearing

Fail 19 Sep 2012 128,852 miles

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

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

Offside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

cut in o/s/r tyre in tread

front wiper blades smearing

Pass 28 Sep 2011 121,927 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2011 121,927 miles

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Pass 1 Oct 2010 108,022 miles

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

Pass 8 Oct 2009 92,916 miles

nearside seat belt buckel cover missing

Fail 8 Oct 2009 92,916 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

nearside seat belt buckel cover missing

Pass 14 Oct 2008 75,170 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

front no plate damaged

Pass 1 Nov 2007 61,072 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.

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YK53 UTE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72%.

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 UTE, 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 UTE?

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

What year was YK53 UTE registered?

YK53 UTE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 November 2003.

Is YK53 UTE safe to buy?

The MOT history for YK53 UTE shows 25 tests with a 72% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YK53 UTE 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 UTE. 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.