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BD03 CUW

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Aug 2026
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

153,847 mi
Last recorded153,847 miles
Recorded on26 Aug 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

RegistrationBD03 CUW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGreen
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 26 Aug 2025 153,847 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2024 148,927 miles

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 24 Mar 2023 144,915 miles

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

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

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

Fail 22 Mar 2023 144,913 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Apr 2022 140,915 miles

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Rear half of chassis corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 4 Apr 2022 140,913 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced Marked yellow (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Rear half of chassis corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 23 Mar 2021 136,451 miles

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

Fail 17 Mar 2021 136,449 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Steering locking device ineffective drag link end (2.1.3 (d))

Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

offside front brake binding slightly

Pass 23 Mar 2020 130,642 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2020 130,639 miles

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 14 Mar 2019 125,125 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2019 125,125 miles

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

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

Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush Lower bushes at axle (5.3.2 (c))

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

Pass 22 Mar 2018 119,186 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

Fail 8 Mar 2018 119,186 miles

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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

Pass 1 Mar 2017 113,504 miles

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both rear lower (2.7.4)

Fail 28 Feb 2017 113,503 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded across axle (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded across axle (3.6.B.2c)

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

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both rear lower (2.7.4)

Pass 11 Mar 2016 107,072 miles

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

slight rubbing of tyres at front

Fail 7 Mar 2016 107,072 miles

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

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Front Seat belt installation load spreading washer(s) missing from anchorage (5.3.1n)

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

slight rubbing of tyres at front

Pass 5 Mar 2015 100,748 miles

Steering system slightly rough (2.2.D.1)

Pass 7 Mar 2014 96,438 miles
Fail 7 Mar 2014 96,438 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 7 Dec 2012 85,571 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2012 85,571 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

Fail 23 Nov 2012 85,278 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 28 Sep 2011 73,222 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2010 674,150 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2009 62,656 miles

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

Pass 2 Oct 2009 62,656 miles
Pass 4 Oct 2008 54,893 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2008 54,893 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Jun 2007 47,434 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2007 47,434 miles

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 25 May 2006 36,672 miles
Fail 24 May 2006 36,668 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

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.

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BD03 CUW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green 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 BD03 CUW, 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 BD03 CUW?

You can check the full history of BD03 CUW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BD03 CUW registered?

BD03 CUW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 29 May 2003.

Is BD03 CUW safe to buy?

The MOT history for BD03 CUW 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 BD03 CUW 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 BD03 CUW. 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.