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CE53 EDR

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Feb 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

155,062 mi
Last recorded155,062 miles
Recorded on3 Feb 2026
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

RegistrationCE53 EDR
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 3 Feb 2026 155,062 miles

Central Front Bonnet primary retaining device slightly deteriorated (3.1 (c))

Central Front Upper Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Upper Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Drivers door poor condition

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All 4 sidewalls (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 21 Jan 2026 154,958 miles

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

Nearside Front Outer Oil leaking excessively from transmission Swivel seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component insecurely attached Bump stop (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Oil leaking excessively from transmission Swivel seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc contaminated Hub seal leaking (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Rear Inner Oil leaking excessively from transmission Hub oil seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component insecurely attached Bump stop (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Central Front Bonnet primary retaining device slightly deteriorated (3.1 (c))

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive OIL LEVEL LOW (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Upper Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Drivers door poor condition

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

Offside Rear Lower Rear reflector insecure (4.8.1 (b) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All 4 sidewalls (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 27 Jan 2025 151,934 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

both front swivel housing seal weeping

door inner frames hole and corroding

Pass 6 Feb 2024 150,302 miles

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced o/s of rear [X] member hole and corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

drivers door frame hole and corroded

n//f and o/s/f swivel housing oil seals weeping

o/s/r axle oil seal weeping

Pass 6 Feb 2023 147,045 miles

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

Nearside Front Front swivel slight oil leak

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened Spring pan (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Front swivel slight oil leak

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened Spring pan (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch All four ()

Pass 28 Jan 2022 144,106 miles

Central Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive Oil low on dipstick (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Inner Oil leak, but not excessive Ball hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Body panel slightly loose Stay broken corroded (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 28 Jan 2022 144,105 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements Both sides (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Central Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive Oil low on dipstick (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Inner Oil leak, but not excessive Ball hub seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Exhaust mounting defective Exhaust not in rubber (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Body panel slightly loose Stay broken corroded (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 22 Jan 2021 140,172 miles

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

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

Fail 20 Jan 2021 140,172 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear along top chassis (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2020 139,128 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material central above chassis (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 28 Jan 2020 139,127 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material central above chassis (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 15 Jan 2019 135,358 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin rear inside pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

slight play n/s/f drag link ball joint

Fail 15 Jan 2019 135,358 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin rear inside pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

slight play n/s/f drag link ball joint

Pass 29 Jan 2018 130,534 miles

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

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak Also has slight play in box! (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 25 Jan 2017 122,477 miles

Central Front Oil leak ()

Nearside Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 29 Jan 2016 115,275 miles

Offside Front Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Fail 28 Jan 2016 115,273 miles

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

Offside Front Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 1 Feb 2015 107,734 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2014 106,634 miles

DRIVERS DOOR IN POOR CONDITION

SLIGHT WEEPING AT FRONT SWIVELS

Fail 9 Dec 2014 106,634 miles

Front Steering damper deformed and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2013 101,866 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2012 92,735 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2011 84,372 miles

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Pass 15 Oct 2010 79,108 miles
Pass 16 Oct 2009 68,474 miles
Pass 19 Sep 2008 59,296 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2007 47,758 miles
Fail 18 Oct 2006 35,719 miles

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

Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Pass 18 Oct 2006 35,719 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

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CE53 EDR is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 CE53 EDR, 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 CE53 EDR?

You can check the full history of CE53 EDR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CE53 EDR registered?

CE53 EDR is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is CE53 EDR safe to buy?

The MOT history for CE53 EDR shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CE53 EDR 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 CE53 EDR. 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.