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CE53 VDX

2003 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Jun 2027
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

117,684 mi
Last recorded117,684 miles
Recorded on18 Jun 2026
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationCE53 VDX
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc
View full Land Rover Defender reliability data Browse other 2003 Land Rover Defender registrations

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 8 fail
Pass 18 Jun 2026 117,684 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tread is 1.6mm. (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Jun 2026 117,640 miles

Central Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tread is 1.6mm. (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jun 2025 114,731 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear 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))

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

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 6 Jun 2025 114,731 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear 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))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 2 May 2024 111,628 miles

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

Steering shock absorber/dampener bush worn ,has movement ,but not excessive

Pass 3 May 2023 108,499 miles

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play directly below steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 25 Apr 2023 108,480 miles

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside 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 Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play directly below steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Apr 2022 103,102 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2021 98,802 miles

Central seat not fitted

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both worn inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 23 Feb 2021 98,793 miles

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play steering box arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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 Brake pipe excessively corroded main front to rear at hose (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Central seat not fitted

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both worn inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Mar 2020 93,530 miles

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

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

body has various damage/dents but no sharp edges or protrusions

Fail 27 Feb 2020 93,418 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator missing lense (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

body has various damage/dents but no sharp edges or protrusions

Pass 6 Feb 2019 87,380 miles

bodywork has damage /dents but no sharp edges or protrusions

Pass 8 Feb 2018 80,979 miles
Fail 31 Jan 2018 80,968 miles

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 12 Jan 2017 75,788 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Jan 2016 70,831 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 22 Jan 2015 64,410 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 22 Jan 2014 57,155 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2013 48,184 miles

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

Pass 30 Dec 2011 44,291 miles
Fail 30 Dec 2011 44,291 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Jan 2010 36,484 miles

rear no. plate has slight staining

Pass 22 Dec 2008 30,887 miles
Pass 2 Jan 2008 26,479 miles
Pass 22 Dec 2006 21,062 miles
Fail 22 Dec 2006 21,059 miles

Offside Fuel cap/sealing device mounting flange/sealing method defective (7.2.4c)

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 VDX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

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 VDX, 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 VDX?

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

What year was CE53 VDX registered?

CE53 VDX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 2003.

Is CE53 VDX safe to buy?

The MOT history for CE53 VDX shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CE53 VDX 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 VDX. 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.