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CV53 KHH

2003 Land Rover Defender

Red Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Nov 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

127,029 mi
Last recorded127,029 miles
Recorded on24 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCV53 KHH
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 24 Oct 2025 127,029 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides caliper (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Fail 24 Oct 2025 127,029 miles

Offside Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides caliper (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 25 Oct 2024 125,493 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides caliper (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 25 Oct 2024 125,493 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides caliper (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 17 Oct 2023 123,835 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 17 Oct 2023 123,835 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength near fuel tank (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper 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))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 24 Oct 2022 121,624 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 18 Oct 2021 119,867 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 18 Oct 2021 119,865 miles

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis near trailing arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Pass 30 Oct 2020 118,182 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides trailing arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 26 Oct 2020 118,182 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Driver's door does not latch securely closed (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis near trailing arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides trailing arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 22 Oct 2019 115,417 miles

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front steering damper bush play

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 22 Oct 2019 115,416 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Intermediate drop arm insecure drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front steering damper bush play

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Oct 2018 111,481 miles

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (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))

Fail 31 Oct 2018 111,481 miles

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

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

Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting x member both sides (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (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))

Pass 25 Oct 2017 106,941 miles

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 25 Oct 2017 106,941 miles

Direction indicators not working all lamps (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

Rear Stop lamp not working both sides (1.2.1b)

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Central Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Nov 2016 103,150 miles

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

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

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

Fail 1 Nov 2016 103,150 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Pass 28 Oct 2015 99,231 miles
Fail 27 Oct 2015 99,210 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 30 Jul 2014 93,102 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2014 93,086 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Centre Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 8 May 2013 85,444 miles
Pass 9 May 2012 78,117 miles
Pass 14 May 2011 68,073 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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)

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

Pass 23 Apr 2010 58,735 miles
Pass 1 May 2009 51,381 miles
Fail 24 Apr 2008 42,973 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Pass 24 Apr 2008 42,973 miles
Pass 2 May 2007 34,847 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2006 34,467 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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CV53 KHH is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Red with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 CV53 KHH, 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 CV53 KHH?

You can check the full history of CV53 KHH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CV53 KHH registered?

CV53 KHH is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 21 October 2003.

Is CV53 KHH safe to buy?

The MOT history for CV53 KHH shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CV53 KHH 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 CV53 KHH. 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.