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AE03 MUD

2003 Land Rover Defender

Silver Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Mar 2027
Tests37 (22 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate59.5%

Mileage

92,814 mi
Last recorded92,814 miles
Recorded on13 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationAE03 MUD
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourSilver
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

22 pass 15 fail
Pass 13 Mar 2026 92,814 miles

Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn both the nearside and offside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both the nearside and offside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 12 Mar 2026 92,810 miles

Headlamp aim too high both the nearside and offside (4.1.2 (a))

Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn both the nearside and offside (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both the nearside and offside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front All position lamps with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 24 Mar 2025 86,952 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2025 86,950 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush likely to become detached bracket broken (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Pass 19 Mar 2024 78,073 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 on hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 on hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive rear axle prop flange (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

n/s and o/s front swivels leaking grease

Fail 19 Mar 2024 78,072 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 on hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 on hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive rear axle prop flange (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

n/s and o/s front swivels leaking grease

Pass 23 Mar 2023 68,145 miles

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

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

Fail 21 Mar 2023 68,144 miles

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2022 63,152 miles

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

Central Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Diff seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Inner Swivel housing leaking

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

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

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

Fail 23 Mar 2022 63,149 miles

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Central Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Diff seal leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Inner Swivel housing leaking

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

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2021 56,137 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2021 56,124 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

Pass 9 Sep 2020 56,101 miles

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

exhaust poor condition

Fail 8 Sep 2020 56,101 miles

Central Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

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

exhaust poor condition

Pass 1 Apr 2020 56,068 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2020 56,068 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Aug 2019 52,619 miles
Fail 27 Aug 2019 52,619 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Oct 2018 52,544 miles

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

all four tyres are cracking

Fail 8 Oct 2018 52,536 miles

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear crossmember is corroded but not in any prescribed areas

all four tyres are cracking

Pass 16 Oct 2017 50,632 miles

Central Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Rear Body has slight corrosion Rear chassis cross member has corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 16 Oct 2017 50,632 miles

Central Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Rear Body has slight corrosion Rear chassis cross member has corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 12 Oct 2016 48,088 miles

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)

both front swivell joints are leaking

Pass 13 Oct 2015 45,524 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2015 45,524 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Fail 15 Oct 2014 43,348 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

some corrosion to nearside door step .

some corrosion to rear exhaust system .

Pass 15 Oct 2014 43,348 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

some corrosion to nearside door step .

some corrosion to rear exhaust system .

Pass 24 Oct 2013 39,498 miles

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

Fail 31 Jul 2013 36,368 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint is insecure (2.5.C.1b)

Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint is insecure (2.5.C.1b)

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

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

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 19 Oct 2012 36,018 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2011 33,008 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2011 33,002 miles

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

Pass 19 Oct 2010 29,647 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2009 26,460 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2008 22,908 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2007 18,856 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2006 14,756 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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AE03 MUD is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Silver with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.5%.

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 AE03 MUD, 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 AE03 MUD?

You can check the full history of AE03 MUD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AE03 MUD registered?

AE03 MUD is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 October 2003.

Is AE03 MUD safe to buy?

The MOT history for AE03 MUD shows 37 tests with a 59.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AE03 MUD 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 AE03 MUD. 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.