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CV03 XUG

2003 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Oct 2026
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

152,748 mi
Last recorded152,748 miles
Recorded on10 Oct 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCV03 XUG
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourRed
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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 10 Oct 2025 152,748 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play top of axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 19 Sep 2025 152,259 miles

Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Central Rear Suspension component ball joint has slight play axle ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 16 May 2024 147,354 miles

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 28 Feb 2023 141,002 miles

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

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

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

Fail 27 Feb 2023 141,001 miles

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

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

Offside Drag link 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 Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 28 Feb 2022 130,088 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Feb 2022 130,088 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play drop arm joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 26 Feb 2021 117,983 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front mirror slight damaged

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

Fail 23 Feb 2021 117,981 miles

Central Rear Prop shaft bearing excessively worn (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn top of axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn hocky stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn hockey stick (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front mirror slight damaged

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

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

Pass 7 Feb 2020 104,220 miles

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

Fail 6 Feb 2020 104,220 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel to the extent that safe steering is affected (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Jan 2019 92,336 miles
Fail 23 Jan 2019 92,336 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear bump stop missing

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

Pass 13 Dec 2017 86,400 miles

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

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Fail 8 Dec 2017 86,398 miles

Central Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Ball joint has excessive play drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe kinked (3.6.B.2b)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking fuel filter housing (7.2.3)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 15 Apr 2016 76,606 miles

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Fail 14 Apr 2016 76,606 miles

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

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 29 Sep 2015 71,126 miles

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Fail 28 Sep 2015 71,126 miles

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Pass 28 Aug 2014 61,929 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2014 61,929 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe kinked (3.6.B.2b)

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

Pass 22 Aug 2013 55,292 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2011 45,647 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 3 Oct 2011 45,647 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2010 40,557 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2009 36,811 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2008 32,598 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2006 24,308 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

CV03 XUG is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 CV03 XUG, 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 CV03 XUG?

You can check the full history of CV03 XUG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CV03 XUG registered?

CV03 XUG is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 June 2003.

Is CV03 XUG safe to buy?

The MOT history for CV03 XUG shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CV03 XUG 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 CV03 XUG. 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.