CarVerify

Free Car Check

BG03 DFE

2003 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Oct 2026
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

174,370 mi
Last recorded174,370 miles
Recorded on17 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationBG03 DFE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourWhite
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 15 fail
Pass 17 Oct 2025 174,370 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing On Inner Edge (5.2.3 (e))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Oct 2025 174,359 miles

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

Front Registration plate inscription illegible Excessively Damaged (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut from edge greater than 2mm (7.1.2 (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 Ball Joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing On Inner Edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Oct 2024 169,795 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fail 7 Oct 2024 169,776 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

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

Front Registration plate inscription illegible Damaged To Excess (0.1 (b))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp lens seriously defective Broken (4.2.1 (b))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment No Reserve Travel (1.1.6 (c))

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

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

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))

Parking Brake 16%

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 12 Oct 2023 163,436 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn Swivel Pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Oct 2023 163,430 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible Excessively Damaged and Split (0.1 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour Lens Damaged and Emits White Light (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn Swivel Pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Parking Brake Lever Has Travel - Works As Intended - Parking Brake Requirements Just Met

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Oct 2022 156,504 miles

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Fail 18 Oct 2022 156,502 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

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))

Offside Front Driver's door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed (6.2.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Handbrake High

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 14 Oct 2021 150,547 miles

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

Fail 12 Oct 2021 150,543 miles

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

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

Offside Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded of front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 20 Oct 2020 145,932 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2020 145,917 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

Pass 15 Apr 2019 137,768 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2018 130,411 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slight play in rear axcel A frame ball joint

Fail 4 Apr 2018 130,407 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke (7.4.B.3a)

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush on axcel x2 (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush on axcel x2 (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slight play in rear axcel A frame ball joint

Pass 4 Apr 2017 122,982 miles

play in rear axcel A frame ball joint

Fail 4 Apr 2017 122,982 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

play in rear axcel A frame ball joint

Pass 22 Apr 2016 116,622 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 21 Apr 2016 116,611 miles

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 1 Apr 2015 108,568 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

front number plate poorly secured

Pass 1 May 2014 102,574 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slite play in rear A frame ball joint

Fail 28 Apr 2014 102,552 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

h/b travel hi

slite play in rear A frame ball joint

Pass 12 Aug 2013 97,933 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2013 97,932 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

cut in n/s front tyre sidewall

Pass 6 Aug 2012 91,029 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

nearside rear reflector cracked

nearside washer output poor

rear seats not fitted at time of test (removed)

Pass 3 Aug 2011 84,899 miles

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

front discs worn

offside front brake disc shield loose

slight lift in track rod end balljoints

Fail 2 Aug 2011 84,842 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front registration plate letter/figure missing (6.3.1c)

Nearside Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

front discs worn

offside front brake disc shield loose

slight lift in track rod end balljoints

Pass 23 Jul 2010 72,177 miles

front discs slightly worn

rear shock bushes slightly worn

Pass 24 Jul 2009 59,852 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 23 Jul 2009 59,851 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Front registration plate incorrect (6.3.1a)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 15 Jul 2008 46,696 miles

front number plate poorley fitted

hand brake drum leaking oil

windscreen chipped in zone b

Fail 4 Jul 2008 46,385 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Front registration plate letter/figure missing (6.3.1c)

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

hand brake drum leaking oil

windscreen chipped in zone b

Pass 15 Jun 2007 32,385 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2006 24,130 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 30 Mar 2006 24,130 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

BG03 DFE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 BG03 DFE, 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 BG03 DFE?

You can check the full history of BG03 DFE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BG03 DFE registered?

BG03 DFE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 27 March 2003.

Is BG03 DFE safe to buy?

The MOT history for BG03 DFE shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BG03 DFE 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 BG03 DFE. 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.