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CE03 SWJ

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Dec 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

138,320 mi
Last recorded138,320 miles
Recorded on15 Dec 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCE03 SWJ
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGrey
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 13 fail
Pass 15 Dec 2025 138,320 miles
Fail 11 Dec 2025 138,318 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 3 Dec 2024 130,091 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))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Tow bar mountings (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Nov 2024 129,803 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn Hub joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings Steering box arm (2.1.3 (a) (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))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Tow bar mountings (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Dec 2023 121,613 miles

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 14 Dec 2023 121,600 miles

Central Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Central Rear Upper Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn REAR AXLE CENTER BALL JOINT (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength crossmember (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2022 112,681 miles
Fail 19 Dec 2022 112,671 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ends of chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 2 Sep 2021 103,216 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2021 103,216 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 29 Aug 2020 101,009 miles

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Aug 2019 95,625 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2019 95,625 miles

Offside Steering system fouling (2.1.4 (a))

Pass 16 Aug 2018 92,844 miles

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

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

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

Fail 6 Aug 2018 92,841 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Passenger's seat with a defective structure (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Passenger's seat with a defective structure (6.2.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn Shock bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn Shock bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Aug 2017 85,630 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 28 Jul 2017 85,555 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Aug 2016 78,314 miles

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

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

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

Fail 11 Aug 2016 78,313 miles

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded from front to back (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Aug 2015 71,835 miles

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

outer front sidelights not working (dim-dip only)

Pass 14 Aug 2014 64,729 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 14 Aug 2014 64,729 miles

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 9 Aug 2013 57,925 miles
Fail 7 Aug 2012 49,472 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Pass 7 Aug 2012 49,472 miles
Pass 3 Aug 2011 40,716 miles

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

Pass 10 Aug 2010 31,720 miles

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

Pass 11 Aug 2009 22,278 miles
Pass 14 Aug 2008 16,259 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2008 16,259 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 31 Jul 2007 15,597 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2006 13,356 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2006 13,356 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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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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CE03 SWJ is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 SWJ, 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 SWJ?

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

What year was CE03 SWJ registered?

CE03 SWJ is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 June 2003.

Is CE03 SWJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for CE03 SWJ shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CE03 SWJ 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 SWJ. 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.