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A5 DGU

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Oct 2025
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

233,213 mi
Last recorded233,213 miles
Recorded on23 Oct 2024
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

RegistrationA5 DGU
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

19 pass 15 fail
Pass 23 Oct 2024 233,213 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2024 233,213 miles

Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Front Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel slightly play in box (2.3 (a) (i))

Front steering damper bush worn

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

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play slight play in both uj (2.2.2 (c))

Pass 10 Oct 2023 228,680 miles

both front axle swivels leaking oil

Fail 3 Oct 2023 228,677 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play front drop arm joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting rear crossmember (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

both front axle swivels leaking oil

Pass 4 Oct 2022 221,225 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn leaking (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Fail 29 Sep 2022 221,224 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened driver seat belt excessively webbed (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn leaking (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Pass 28 Sep 2021 215,082 miles

Nearside Front hub seal seeping

Fail 25 Sep 2021 215,082 miles

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front hub seal seeping

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 29 Sep 2020 208,463 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Fail 29 Sep 2020 208,463 miles

Central Seat belt missing (7.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 30 Sep 2019 200,860 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2019 200,780 miles

Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn hockey stick bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 24 Sep 2018 191,050 miles

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt at drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 11 Sep 2018 190,668 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded inthe front clip where the pipe meets the chassis (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt at drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 13 Sep 2017 181,426 miles

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

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

Fail 6 Sep 2017 181,221 miles

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded main front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Power steering component(s) leaking steering box (2.3.3b)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit legal min - tracking ! (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Pass 19 Sep 2016 172,065 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front (2.4.G.2)

Propshaft universal joint worn front of rear ()

Fail 9 Sep 2016 171,765 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front (2.4.G.2)

Propshaft universal joint worn front of rear ()

Pass 18 Sep 2015 162,132 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Fail 16 Sep 2015 162,129 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Pass 5 Sep 2014 151,044 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror deteriorated, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

smoke pass after road test

Pass 9 Sep 2013 13,975 miles
Fail 29 Aug 2013 139,417 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2012 127,456 miles

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

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

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

Fail 23 Aug 2012 127,086 miles

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

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

engine has a bad oil leak

Pass 24 Aug 2011 115,211 miles
Fail 22 Aug 2011 115,211 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 25 Aug 2010 104,850 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2010 104,850 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 19 Aug 2009 91,767 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2008 77,243 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

slight play in n/s/r shocker mounts

Pass 11 Aug 2008 77,243 miles

slight play in n/s/r shocker mounts

Pass 14 Aug 2007 64,303 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2006 50,893 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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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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A5 DGU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

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 A5 DGU, 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 A5 DGU?

You can check the full history of A5 DGU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A5 DGU registered?

A5 DGU is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 16 September 2003.

Is A5 DGU safe to buy?

The MOT history for A5 DGU shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A5 DGU 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 A5 DGU. 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.