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BF03 DCX

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Oct 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

184,297 mi
Last recorded184,297 miles
Recorded on7 Oct 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

RegistrationBF03 DCX
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 7 Oct 2025 184,297 miles

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 29 Sep 2025 183,953 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Upper Brake valve leaking such that brake functionality is affected (1.1.7 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 7 Oct 2024 172,196 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 24 Sep 2024 171,811 miles

Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 2 Oct 2023 162,049 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 28 Sep 2022 153,685 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Sep 2022 153,685 miles

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

Offside Front Steering component deformed to the extent that steering is affected steering damper (2.1.3 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 7 Oct 2021 145,840 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2021 145,816 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level significantly below minimum level (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Power steering component leaking steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Pass 2 Oct 2020 139,322 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2019 130,989 miles

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

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component damper (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 12 Mar 2019 130,988 miles

Nearside 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))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Parking brake lever inoperative (1.1.6 (d))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component damper (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 4 Apr 2018 128,298 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 21 Mar 2018 128,235 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play (2.5.A.3b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Mar 2017 124,984 miles

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 23 Mar 2016 122,068 miles

oil leak

oil leak n/s front hub

Fail 21 Mar 2016 122,068 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

oil leak

oil leak n/s front hub

Pass 24 Mar 2015 119,419 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Mar 2015 119,417 miles

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Mar 2014 113,317 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 19 Mar 2014 113,317 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 21 Mar 2013 103,543 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Mar 2012 93,535 miles

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

Fail 15 Mar 2012 93,535 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 16 Mar 2011 80,719 miles

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

Fail 16 Mar 2011 80,719 miles

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Propshaft component defective

Pass 9 Mar 2010 665,163 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2009 54,991 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2008 44,780 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2008 44,252 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Offside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Pass 15 Mar 2007 35,483 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2006 27,043 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

BF03 DCX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 BF03 DCX, 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 BF03 DCX?

You can check the full history of BF03 DCX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BF03 DCX registered?

BF03 DCX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 March 2003.

Is BF03 DCX safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF03 DCX shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF03 DCX 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 BF03 DCX. 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.