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CE03 MLY

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Nov 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

180,458 mi
Last recorded180,458 miles
Recorded on12 Nov 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

RegistrationCE03 MLY
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 13 fail
Pass 12 Nov 2025 180,458 miles

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 30 Sep 2025 180,435 miles

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

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

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Front Bumper damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced rear crossmember as marked (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded across rear axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across rear axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Mar 2024 177,756 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Mar 2024 177,750 miles

Headlamp not working on dipped beam both (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Headlamp not working on main beam both (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play pitman arm on box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2023 167,016 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across axle x2 (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play pitman drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Mar 2022 154,860 miles

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both across axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 9 Mar 2022 154,857 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both across axle (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 10 Mar 2021 141,316 miles

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play pitman arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all round (5.2.3 (e))

general corosion underneath

Fail 9 Mar 2021 141,316 miles

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

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play pitman arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all round (5.2.3 (e))

general corosion underneath

Pass 13 Mar 2020 128,275 miles
Pass 1 May 2019 121,767 miles

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

Fail 29 Apr 2019 121,760 miles

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 May 2018 112,343 miles
Fail 3 May 2018 112,343 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 14 Jun 2017 106,791 miles
Pass 11 Dec 2015 101,853 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2014 96,535 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2013 88,190 miles

n/s/r trailing arm front bush has slight play

slight play in o/s/f wheel bearing

Pass 17 May 2012 82,126 miles

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

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

Fail 17 May 2012 82,126 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 May 2011 75,037 miles

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

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

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

all front suspension bushes perished

Fail 4 May 2011 75,037 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

all front suspension bushes perished

Pass 20 Apr 2010 68,330 miles

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

Oil leak

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

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

steering damper bush worn

Fail 20 Apr 2010 68,330 miles

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

Oil leak

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

steering damper bush worn

Pass 17 Apr 2009 57,185 miles

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

Oil leak

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

no.plate lamp cover damaged

slight oil leak from rear diff seal

slight oil leak o/s/f tractor joint

Fail 17 Apr 2009 57,185 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Horn control missing (1.6.1)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Oil leak

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

no.plate lamp cover damaged

slight oil leak from rear diff seal

slight oil leak o/s/f tractor joint

Pass 28 Feb 2008 46,090 miles

Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 28 Feb 2008 46,090 miles

Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Fail 29 Mar 2007 40,110 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

long travel on h/brake lever

no.plate light cover broken

reverse light lens broken

Pass 29 Mar 2007 40,110 miles

long travel on h/brake lever

no.plate light cover broken

reverse light lens broken

Pass 14 Mar 2006 32,578 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2006 32,578 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

CE03 MLY 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 59.4%.

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 CE03 MLY, 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 CE03 MLY?

You can check the full history of CE03 MLY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CE03 MLY registered?

CE03 MLY is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 10 March 2003.

Is CE03 MLY safe to buy?

The MOT history for CE03 MLY shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CE03 MLY 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 CE03 MLY. 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.