CarVerify

Free Car Check

C494 KER

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2496cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires29 Jun 2025
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

203,287 mi
Last recorded203,287 miles
Recorded on27 Jun 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

RegistrationC494 KER
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

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 10 fail
Fail 27 Jun 2025 203,287 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt steering drop arm joint from p/s pump. (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Drag link end ball joint has excessive play steering box drop arm ball joint. (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp front & rear + number plate lights inop when head lights are turned on. (4.2.3 (c))

Power steering component leaking power steering box. ? (2.1.5 (a))

Steering wheel has movement relative to the column indicating looseness free play detected at steering wheel. (2.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Central gear box bolt on X member smal corrosion hole.

Front Lower Headlamp reflector slightly defective n/s/f reflector lower. (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed both front webbing slightly damaged. (7.1.2 (b))

Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both front swivel hub ball s pitted seals leaking. (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Front passenger door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed n/s/f lower door hinge to door loose. (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing shock absorber turret heavy corrosion. (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear n/s rear wing steady bracket broken.

Rear both rear brake disc back plate covers missing.

oil pressure warning light in op.

Pass 14 Jun 2024 201,278 miles

Central gear box bolt on crossmember has small corrosion hole.

Front both front swivel hub balls pitted slight oil leak from hub seals.

oil pressure light inop.

slight engine oil leak.

Pass 19 Jun 2023 200,893 miles

Central Front gear box bolt on cross member small corrosion hole.

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front exhaust down pipe to front joint by flange small exhaust leak. (6.1.2 (a))

Front both front swivel hub ball s seals leaking.

slight engine oil leak.

Pass 30 Jun 2022 199,491 miles

Front Lower Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front exhaust down pipe to front joint by flange. (6.1.2 (a))

Front both front swivel hubs slight oil leak.

Offside Rear Lower rear wing lower steady bracket corroded & broken off.

slight engine oil leak.

Fail 21 Jun 2022 199,434 miles

Central Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear steel brake pipe to flexy pipe badly corroded by union. (dangerous) (1.1.11 (c))

Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))

Front Windscreen washer not working no water. (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Upper Body component insecure alloy tread plate insecure at front edge. (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level significantly below minimum level dangerous. (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Body panel damaged and likely to cause injury side vent cover trim missing. (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements rear reg plate obscured by ladder rack. (0.1 (d))

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

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play rear axle top ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Lower Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front exhaust down pipe to front joint by flange. (6.1.2 (a))

Front both front swivel hubs slight oil leak.

Front electrical wires loose & rubbing on front propshaft.

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s/f steel pipe to flexy corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower rear wing lower steady bracket corroded & broken off.

slight engine oil leak.

Pass 22 Jun 2021 196,529 miles

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Jun 2021 196,529 miles

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 4 Jun 2020 192,032 miles

Nearside Front king pin seal leaking

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

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

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

underside slight corrosion

Fail 1 Jun 2020 192,021 miles

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt bottom of steering box (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front king pin seal leaking

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

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

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

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

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

underside slight corrosion

Pass 7 Jun 2019 189,274 miles

Bottom of battery box corroded

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

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

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

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

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

both front hub seals leaking

steering damper rubber excessively worn

Fail 7 Jun 2019 189,266 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Steering column universal joint deformed lower universal joint excessive play (2.1.3 (c) (i))

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Bottom of battery box corroded

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

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

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

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

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

both front hub seals leaking

steering damper rubber excessively worn

Pass 29 Jun 2018 186,973 miles

Bottom of battery box corroded

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Engine mounting damaged but not to excess rubbers worn (6.1.8 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear shock absorber top bush worn

Steering box slight movement (2.1.1 (d) (i))

steering damper bushes worn

Fail 14 Jun 2018 186,967 miles

Nearside Front Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis / crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting chassis (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Bottom of battery box corroded

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Offside Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Upper shock absorber bush worn

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

Steering component deformed but serviceable steering damper bushes worn (2.1.3 (c) (i))

Pass 6 Jun 2017 182,755 miles

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Fail 5 Jun 2017 182,751 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings out rigger (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings out rigger (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Pass 14 Jun 2016 176,207 miles

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

slight corrosion o/s rear chassis

Pass 2 Jun 2015 169,202 miles

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

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

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

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

n/s front outrigger slight corrosion

rear top axle ball joint slight play.

Pass 4 Jun 2014 164,127 miles

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

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

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

n/s front outrigger slight corrosion

Pass 11 Jun 2013 155,342 miles

Oil leak

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

handbrake comes up high

o/s/f,o/s/r and n/s/r tyres starting to perish and wear uneven

steering box damp

Pass 15 Jun 2012 151,854 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2012 151,789 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Front Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 28 May 2011 144,974 miles

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

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

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

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

minor cracks in centre exhaust rubber mounting

n/s/f wheel bearing slightly noisy

o/s/r marker light inop

slight corrosion on coil springs front + rear + under vehicle

slight cracks in front number plate

Fail 18 Mar 2011 144,852 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Oil leak

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

only one spot light fitted by grill

slight corrosion under vehicle

Pass 19 Mar 2010 134,958 miles

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

rear brake discs scored

Fail 27 Feb 2010 134,931 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

both front head light units have condensation

nail going through drop arm ball joint nut

Pass 3 Mar 2009 132,848 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 1 Mar 2008 126,373 miles

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

front offside hub seal leaking.

oil leak engine?

Pass 2 Mar 2007 115,808 miles

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

Pass 3 Mar 2006 107,223 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

C494 KER is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 C494 KER, 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 C494 KER?

You can check the full history of C494 KER by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C494 KER registered?

C494 KER is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 1 September 2003.

Is C494 KER safe to buy?

The MOT history for C494 KER shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C494 KER 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 C494 KER. 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.