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AU03 XJW

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jan 2027
Tests34 (21 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate61.8%

Mileage

196,572 mi
Last recorded196,572 miles
Recorded on14 Jan 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAU03 XJW
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

21 pass 13 fail
Pass 14 Jan 2026 196,572 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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 14 Jan 2026 196,572 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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 17 Dec 2024 185,682 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing Arm - Both Front Bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing Arm - Both Front Bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Dec 2024 185,682 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing Arm - Both Front Bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing Arm - Both Front Bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 21 Dec 2023 176,373 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2023 176,371 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play LOOSE AND MAYBE WORN (2.2.2 (c))

Lower Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake lining(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play DROP ARM STEERING BOX BALL JOINT (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

coolant bottle empty

noise from engine bay

Pass 11 Jan 2023 168,136 miles

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

Fail 11 Jan 2023 168,136 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 14 Jan 2022 158,548 miles

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

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

Fail 13 Jan 2022 158,548 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 17 Dec 2020 148,445 miles

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

Fail 16 Dec 2020 148,445 miles

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

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

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))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) light intensity obviously reduced (4.3.3 (a) (i))

Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Jan 2020 139,134 miles

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Jan 2020 139,134 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Jan 2019 130,129 miles

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

fuel cap incomplete

Fail 16 Jan 2019 130,129 miles

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

fuel cap incomplete

Pass 2 Jan 2018 121,069 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2016 112,037 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Dec 2016 112,027 miles

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

Nearside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)

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

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

Offside Front Steering locking device insecure box bolts tabs not locked (2.2.C.1g)

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Dec 2015 102,422 miles

child seat secured in nearside front adult seat belt, visual inspection only

Fail 2 Dec 2015 102,418 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

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

Offside Front Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

child seat secured in nearside front adult seat belt, visual inspection only

coolant level low

Pass 17 Dec 2014 92,857 miles

Offside Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

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

offside front tyre tread depth less than 3mm, legal limit 1.6mm

rear prop-shaft universal joint has wear

Fail 16 Dec 2014 92,856 miles

Centre Rear Electrical wiring inadequately supported (1.9.2a)

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

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Offside Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

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

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

offside front tyre tread depth less than 3mm, legal limit 1.6mm

rear prop-shaft universal joint has wear

Pass 5 Dec 2013 82,536 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nail in nearside front tyre

offside windscreen wiper showing signs of age

Fail 3 Dec 2013 82,536 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nail in nearside front tyre

offside windscreen wiper showing signs of age

Pass 11 Jun 2012 70,183 miles

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

near side rear shock absorber lower bush worn.

off side rear shock absorber lower bush worn.

Pass 23 Jun 2011 62,995 miles

o/s/r shocker bushes worn

Pass 22 Jun 2010 57,884 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2010 57,083 miles
Fail 9 Feb 2010 57,083 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 12 Feb 2009 49,197 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2008 41,283 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Feb 2007 33,225 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2006 25,250 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

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

AU03 XJW 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 61.8%.

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 AU03 XJW, 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 AU03 XJW?

You can check the full history of AU03 XJW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AU03 XJW registered?

AU03 XJW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 March 2003.

Is AU03 XJW safe to buy?

The MOT history for AU03 XJW shows 34 tests with a 61.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AU03 XJW 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 AU03 XJW. 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.