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CE03 XZL

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Nov 2026
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

55,379 mi
Last recorded55,379 miles
Recorded on31 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCE03 XZL
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 8 fail
Pass 31 Oct 2025 55,379 miles

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front bumper corroded

Offside Rear diff leaking

Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 8 Nov 2024 54,627 miles

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Front under bonnet engine mount area corroded

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 6 Nov 2024 54,624 miles

Fuel system component leaking filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Body component insecure side step (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Front under bonnet engine mount area corroded

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))

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

Pass 7 Nov 2023 54,329 miles

Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front side step support bar corroded

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

steering track rod end rubbers perished

Pass 4 Nov 2022 53,618 miles

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced under bonnet (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 17 Oct 2022 53,614 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose excessively corroded under bonnet (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Horn sound not in accordance with requirements (7.7 (c))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced under bonnet (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Oct 2021 53,047 miles

Offside Front Lower slight play in swivel ball

Rear both coil springs corroded

Rear brake pads worn thin

both front rigid brake pipe fixings corroded

both front suspension springs corroded

drivers door hinge corroded

Pass 15 Oct 2020 49,147 miles

Offside Front Outer drive shaft weeping

Offside Front drivers floor rusty

Fail 15 Oct 2020 49,147 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Outer drive shaft weeping

Offside Front drivers floor rusty

Pass 19 Oct 2019 47,813 miles

Offside Front floor corroded

Fail 17 Oct 2019 47,813 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front floor corroded

Pass 8 Aug 2018 46,966 miles

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

front brake pipe fittings on to brake flexis corroded (both sides) under wheel arches

Fail 3 Aug 2018 46,996 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded along axle (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder excessively corroded and likely to crack brake flexi ferrals (both pipes) (1.1.16 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component missing bump stop (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

front brake pipe fittings on to brake flexis corroded (both sides) under wheel arches

Pass 4 Aug 2017 45,760 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2017 45,760 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 6 Jul 2016 43,626 miles

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules x2 (3.6.B.4e)

Rear axial support arm rubber perished

Fail 5 Jul 2016 43,626 miles

Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside (3.7.C.2)

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules x2 (3.6.B.4e)

Rear axial support arm rubber perished

Pass 7 Jul 2015 41,663 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2015 41,663 miles

Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

Pass 27 Jun 2014 39,196 miles

bonnet catch faulty

n/s side step very rusty

n/s/r mud flap hanging down

o/s/r side faceing seat seat belt buckle damaged

Pass 27 Jun 2013 36,080 miles

n/s step corroded

Pass 20 Jul 2012 33,340 miles
Pass 8 Jul 2011 32,616 miles

rear brake discs are pitted

rear brake pads are low

Pass 9 Jul 2010 31,033 miles

both rear shock bushes are worn

rear brake pads are low

Pass 17 Jun 2009 28,488 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2008 16,662 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2007 8,300 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2006 5,953 miles

slight oil leak both front hub seals

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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CE03 XZL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 XZL, 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 XZL?

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

What year was CE03 XZL registered?

CE03 XZL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 11 July 2003.

Is CE03 XZL safe to buy?

The MOT history for CE03 XZL shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CE03 XZL 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 XZL. 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.