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1983 JK

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Dec 2026
Tests23 (19 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate82.6%

Mileage

110,405 mi
Last recorded110,405 miles
Recorded on12 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

Registration1983 JK
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGrey
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 4 fail
Pass 12 Dec 2025 110,405 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2024 107,912 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2023 105,799 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2022 101,672 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2021 98,699 miles

Lower Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Lower Front passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Other passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Pass 14 Oct 2020 97,377 miles

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 8 Oct 2020 97,333 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

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

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 7 May 2019 95,736 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2017 92,536 miles
Pass 26 May 2016 88,030 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2015 84,577 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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)

Oil leak

Fail 29 May 2015 84,577 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Oil leak

Fail 16 Jun 2014 82,378 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Jun 2014 82,378 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2013 79,637 miles

SLIGHT DAMAGE TO REAR STEP NO SHARP EDGES

slightDAMAGE TO N/S/R REAR BUMPER NO SHARP EDGES

Pass 1 Jun 2012 76,600 miles

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Oil leak

Pass 24 May 2011 70,643 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2010 64,822 miles
Pass 18 May 2009 57,198 miles
Fail 18 May 2009 57,198 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 5 Apr 2008 50,479 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2007 37,031 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2006 26,851 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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1983 JK is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 82.6%.

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 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 1983 JK, 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 1983 JK?

You can check the full history of 1983 JK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 1983 JK registered?

1983 JK is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 May 2003.

Is 1983 JK safe to buy?

The MOT history for 1983 JK shows 23 tests with a 82.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 1983 JK 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 1983 JK. 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.