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A500 EJS

2003 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Dec 2026
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

125,492 mi
Last recorded125,492 miles
Recorded on28 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

RegistrationA500 EJS
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourRed
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

21 pass 7 fail
Pass 28 Nov 2025 125,492 miles

Both swivel joints leaking.

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear, corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Front bumper corroded.

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside rear bump stop missing.

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded At front crossmember. (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Trailer socket deteriorated.

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

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

Pass 21 Nov 2024 123,502 miles

Both swivel joints leaking.

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All brake pipes coated. (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear, corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside rear bump stop missing.

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Short brake pipe to caliper, corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both upper and lower bushes. (5.3.2 (c))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Transfer case. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Trailer socket deteriorated.

Fail 20 Nov 2024 123,502 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Both swivel joints leaking.

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All brake pipes coated. (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear, corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside rear bump stop missing.

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Short brake pipe to caliper, corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both upper and lower bushes. (5.3.2 (c))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Transfer case. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Trailer socket deteriorated.

Pass 4 Dec 2023 120,535 miles

Nearside rear bump stop missing.

Nearside swivel joint seal leaking.

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Short pipe to caliper corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective Rubber torn. (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Trailer socket deteriorated.

Fail 3 Nov 2023 120,500 miles

Nearside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Deep cracks reaching cords in between tread. (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Centre section of rear panel. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Nearside section of rear panel. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Offside section of rear panel. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside rear bump stop missing.

Nearside swivel joint seal leaking.

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Short pipe to caliper, corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Trailer socket deteriorated.

Pass 2 Nov 2022 116,354 miles

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

Nearside Rear bump stop rubber missing

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

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

Pass 28 Sep 2021 113,641 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2021 113,636 miles

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

Pass 20 Oct 2020 111,145 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2020 111,145 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 22 Oct 2019 107,326 miles

Both front doors, closing operation poor

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes coated in grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 29 Aug 2018 104,369 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes coated (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 29 Aug 2017 101,558 miles

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

Nearside front and nearside rear tyres both perishing on sidewalls

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

Fail 16 Aug 2017 101,557 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

Nearside front and nearside rear tyres both perishing on sidewalls

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

Pass 3 Aug 2016 97,110 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2015 92,302 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2014 86,851 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2013 82,073 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2013 81,658 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2012 75,169 miles

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

Pass 19 Feb 2011 68,155 miles
Fail 18 Feb 2011 68,155 miles

Offside Front Brake lining(s) insecure (3.5.1g)

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

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

Rear Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 16 Feb 2010 60,841 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)

n/s/f tractor joint seal leaking slightly

Fail 16 Feb 2010 60,841 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) flickers when tapped lightly by hand (1.1.4c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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)

n/s/f tractor joint seal leaking slightly

Pass 18 Feb 2009 49,794 miles
Pass 28 Feb 2008 44,170 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2007 34,271 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2006 24,504 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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A500 EJS is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 A500 EJS, 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 A500 EJS?

You can check the full history of A500 EJS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A500 EJS registered?

A500 EJS is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 March 2003.

Is A500 EJS safe to buy?

The MOT history for A500 EJS shows 28 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A500 EJS 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 A500 EJS. 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.