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AE53 DKX

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2498cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 May 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

146,340 mi
Last recorded146,340 miles
Recorded on11 May 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAE53 DKX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,498cc

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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 11 May 2026 146,340 miles

Both Front Swivel Housing Seals Leaking Oil.

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

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Fail 6 May 2026 146,313 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Radius Arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Radius Arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced rear seat box rail (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Both Front Swivel Housing seals Leaking Oil.

Coolant leak ()

Fluid leak, but not excessive Transfer Box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Radius Arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Radius Arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across back axle (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 5 May 2026 146,312 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced rear seat box rail (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded across back axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across back axle (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 6 May 2025 136,480 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front radius arm bushes (both) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front radius arm bushes (both) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 22 Apr 2024 125,707 miles
Pass 26 Feb 2022 125,356 miles

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

Corrosion to body mounts

Exhaust in poor condition

Front swivel joint leaking

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Rear differential ball joint mount deteriorated

Pass 11 Nov 2020 123,750 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Middle section of the car (1.1.11 (c))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust in poor condition

Front swivel joint leaking

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Oil leak

Rear differential ball joint mount deteriorated

Fail 11 Nov 2020 123,750 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Middle section of the car (1.1.11 (c))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust in poor condition

Front swivel joint leaking

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Oil leak

Rear differential ball joint mount deteriorated

Pass 28 Oct 2019 120,507 miles

Central Rear differential support mount ball joint dust cover slightly deteriorated

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front stub axle weeping

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front stub axle weeping

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

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

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

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

coolant level low

Fail 28 Oct 2019 120,507 miles

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

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

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

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

Central Rear differential support mount ball joint dust cover slightly deteriorated

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front stub axle weeping

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front stub axle weeping

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

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

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

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

coolant level low

Pass 26 Oct 2018 116,750 miles

brake pipes corroded

Pass 18 Oct 2017 113,786 miles

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

brake pipes corroded nearside front

Fail 13 Oct 2017 113,784 miles

Offside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin lower shim (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

brake pipes corroded nearside front

Pass 12 Oct 2016 108,894 miles

Offside Front Lower Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Pass 8 Oct 2015 100,061 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2014 89,006 miles
Pass 28 Nov 2013 85,310 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

High level brake light n/w.

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

Fail 28 Nov 2013 85,310 miles

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

High level brake light n/w.

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

Pass 15 Oct 2012 77,243 miles

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

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

rear tyre sidewalls starting to crack

Fail 15 Oct 2012 77,243 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

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

rear tyre sidewalls starting to crack

Pass 25 Aug 2011 69,990 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fuel filter sweaty

Pass 25 Aug 2010 62,195 miles

Both wipers deteriorated but still clearing screen properly

Engine cover fitted at time of test

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

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

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

Undershield fitted at time of test

Pass 25 Aug 2009 52,593 miles

Engine cover fitted at time of test

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

Pass 29 Mar 2008 39,224 miles

Fuel filter sweaty

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

Pass 12 Sep 2006 20,934 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2006 20,934 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

AE53 DKX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,498cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

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 AE53 DKX, 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 AE53 DKX?

You can check the full history of AE53 DKX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AE53 DKX registered?

AE53 DKX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 2 September 2003.

Is AE53 DKX safe to buy?

The MOT history for AE53 DKX shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AE53 DKX 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 AE53 DKX. 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.