CarVerify

Free Car Check

CE53 LTX

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Sep 2026
Tests25 (18 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate72%

Mileage

171,008 mi
Last recorded171,008 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 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

RegistrationCE53 LTX
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

18 pass 7 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 171,008 miles

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

Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt all (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

rear chassis corroded

Fail 8 Sep 2025 171,008 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing BOTH (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt all (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

rear chassis corroded

Pass 16 Sep 2024 161,284 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 21 Sep 2023 155,042 miles

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear axle A frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both rear (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

rear chassis cross member corroded

temporary fuel cap fitted

Fail 15 Sep 2023 155,034 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel both rear (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement radius arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear axle A frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both rear (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

rear chassis cross member corroded

temporary fuel cap fitted

Pass 31 Aug 2022 148,961 miles

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

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

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

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

Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear axle support (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both rear (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

rear chassis cross member corroded

temporary fuel cap fitted

Pass 23 Apr 2021 145,799 miles

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

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

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear axle A frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear radius arm front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both rear track rod ends + slight play (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 1 May 2020 141,436 miles

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

coil springs corroded

muddy underside

steering arm bar dust covers perished

Fail 29 Apr 2020 141,439 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

coil springs corroded

coolant bottle empty

engine oil low

muddy underside

oil leak

steering arm bar dust covers perished

Pass 5 Apr 2019 133,652 miles

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

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

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both rear upper (5.3.2 (c))

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

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Rear A Frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear radius arm front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Mar 2019 133,652 miles

Headlamp light intensity severely reduced both (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected orange lens (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure fractured at base (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both rear upper (5.3.2 (c))

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

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Rear A Frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear radius arm front bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Jan 2018 128,327 miles

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

Pass 9 Feb 2017 119,994 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 9 Feb 2017 119,988 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported broken bracket (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 13 Oct 2015 107,374 miles

Centre Exhaust Mount Broken

Nearside Front Tyre Perishing

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

Offside Front Tyre Perishing

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit Wearing Unevenly On Inner Edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre Perishing

Unable To Gain Access To Rear Seats

Fail 10 Oct 2015 107,226 miles

Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement Rear D Bushes (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Centre Exhaust Mount Broken

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

Nearside Front Tyre Perishing

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

Offside Front Tyre Perishing

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit Wearing Unevenly On Inner Edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre Perishing

Unable To Gain Access To Rear Seats

Pass 14 Aug 2013 77,229 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2012 70,737 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 23 Jul 2012 70,585 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

engine performance very poor during emission test advise investigation

Pass 28 Jun 2011 57,659 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 1 Jul 2010 49,292 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 4 Jun 2009 40,727 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2008 40,454 miles

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

nearside rear mudflap insecure

Pass 19 Sep 2007 37,920 miles
Pass 21 Aug 2006 29,189 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

CE53 LTX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72%.

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 LTX, 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 LTX?

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

What year was CE53 LTX registered?

CE53 LTX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 8 September 2003.

Is CE53 LTX safe to buy?

The MOT history for CE53 LTX shows 25 tests with a 72% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CE53 LTX 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 LTX. 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.