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438 LAO

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Mar 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

246,886 mi
Last recorded246,886 miles
Recorded on24 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

Registration438 LAO
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 24 Mar 2026 246,886 miles

Rear chassis corroded around rear shocker top mounts

Fail 19 Mar 2026 246,806 miles

Emissions unable to be completed No roti or obd available (8.2.2.2 (e))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Rear chassis corroded around rear shocker top mounts

Pass 21 Mar 2025 241,829 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2024 241,133 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

both rear bump stops missing

Pass 19 Dec 2022 239,015 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2021 234,795 miles
Fail 10 Nov 2021 234,761 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 30 Oct 2020 223,581 miles

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

Pass 29 Oct 2019 213,309 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced o/s/r cross member corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 26 Oct 2018 204,103 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2017 198,734 miles

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

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

nearside mirror cracked

transfer box oil leak

Fail 13 Oct 2017 198,734 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

nearside mirror cracked

transfer box oil leak

Pass 24 Sep 2016 192,632 miles

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

both rear shock absorber upper bushes deteriorated

Fail 21 Sep 2016 192,632 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

both rear shock absorber upper bushes deteriorated

Pass 22 Sep 2015 187,228 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint both front (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

both front tractor joint seals weeping

slight play in offside front tractor joint

Fail 18 Sep 2015 187,189 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint tracktor joint (2.5.A.1c)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint both front (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

both front tractor joint seals weeping

Pass 30 Sep 2014 179,574 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2014 179,574 miles

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 9 Sep 2013 164,005 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Fail 9 Sep 2013 164,005 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 19 Sep 2012 150,041 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Fail 19 Sep 2012 150,041 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2011 135,245 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2011 135,245 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Pass 9 Sep 2010 119,363 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 Sep 2010 119,363 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Aug 2009 99,627 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 12 Aug 2009 99,627 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2008 79,640 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 5 Jul 2007 58,310 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

Fail 5 Jul 2007 58,310 miles

Centre Front Upper Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

Pass 13 Jun 2006 42,099 miles

0\s\ spot lamp not working

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

coolant leaking

Fail 13 Jun 2006 42,099 miles

0\s\ spot lamp not working

Centre Upper Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

coolant leaking

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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438 LAO is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 438 LAO, 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 438 LAO?

You can check the full history of 438 LAO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 438 LAO registered?

438 LAO is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 18 June 2003.

Is 438 LAO safe to buy?

The MOT history for 438 LAO shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 438 LAO 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 438 LAO. 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.