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YX53 RGY

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Nov 2026
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

179,471 mi
Last recorded179,471 miles
Recorded on19 Nov 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

RegistrationYX53 RGY
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

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 19 Nov 2025 179,471 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2025 179,468 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine limit 3.00 actual4.68 (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Nov 2024 173,031 miles

Corrosion To all Passenger Doors

corrosion to inner bulk head

Fail 7 Nov 2024 173,030 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit Limit 1.93 Actual 3.74 (8.2.2.2 (a))

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Coolant Leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c)) DANGEROUS

Corrosion To Inner Bulk Head And Pedal Mounting Areas

Corrosion To all Passenger Doors

Rear Corrosion To Seat Belt Mounting Areas

Fail 7 Oct 2024 173,028 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced door shut floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength shock /spring mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis cross member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead area (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced door shut floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis next to spring mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength spring mounting to chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area fractured significantly reducing structural strength chassis near fuel filter area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis next to shock arear (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area fractured significantly reducing structural strength next A frame mount to chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength offside and nearside rear upper chassis area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

vehicle chassis and body complete in advanced state of corrosion .covered in underseal and mud making inspection difficult

Pass 5 Oct 2023 167,210 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2023 167,208 miles

Nearside Rear Upper 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))

Pass 17 Oct 2022 159,121 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2021 152,211 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2021 152,204 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Pass 14 Oct 2020 148,773 miles

a frame ball joint dust cover perished

fuel tank carrier corroded/damaged

metal brake pipes across rear axle corroded

n/s/r bump stop missing

Pass 15 Oct 2019 143,533 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all [underseal] (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 15 Oct 2019 143,533 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn rear universal joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all [underseal] (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 22 Oct 2018 134,130 miles

Front Coil springs corroding

Front Tyres cracking

Oil leak on engine

Rear Tyres scuffed on outer sidewall

Slight play in rear shock absorber bush

Pass 3 Oct 2017 129,341 miles

Front hubs damp

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

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

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

all tyres outer side walls cracking

front and rear springs corroding

oil leak on engine, gear box front and rear diff

Fail 3 Oct 2017 129,340 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt from the steering box (2.2.C.1c)

Front hubs damp

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

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

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

all tyres outer side walls cracking

front and rear springs corroding

oil leak on engine, gear box front and rear diff

Pass 26 Sep 2016 125,123 miles

Front trailing arm bushes deteriorating

Offside Front tyre outer side wall cracking

front and rear springs corroding

front brake pipes to caliper corroding

oil leak on engine and gear box

slight corrosion to rear brake pipes

Pass 22 Sep 2015 121,037 miles

Offside Front slight corrosion to brake pipe to caliper

Offside Rear mud flap loose

Offside Rear slight play in wheel bearing

both front springs corroding

slight oil leak on engine and transfere box

slight oil leak on front hubs

Fail 22 Sep 2015 121,032 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

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

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

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Offside Front slight corrosion to brake pipe to caliper

Offside Rear mud flap loose

Offside Rear slight play in wheel bearing

both front springs corroding

slight oil leak on engine and transfere box

slight oil leak on front hubs

Pass 2 Oct 2014 116,773 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2013 109,530 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 30 Sep 2013 109,528 miles

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Oct 2012 103,935 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2012 103,935 miles

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Pass 27 Sep 2011 97,805 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2011 97,805 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 30 Sep 2010 90,639 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 30 Sep 2010 90,639 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2009 84,114 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2009 84,114 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 3 Oct 2008 77,681 miles

Offside Front Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 2 Oct 2008 77,681 miles

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

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

Offside Front Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 4 Oct 2007 70,042 miles

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Pass 4 Oct 2007 70,042 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2006 61,285 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2006 61,285 miles

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

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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YX53 RGY is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 YX53 RGY, 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 YX53 RGY?

You can check the full history of YX53 RGY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YX53 RGY registered?

YX53 RGY is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 2003.

Is YX53 RGY safe to buy?

The MOT history for YX53 RGY shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YX53 RGY 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 YX53 RGY. 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.