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VU03 YOC

2003 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Sep 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

321,379 mi
Last recorded321,379 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 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

RegistrationVU03 YOC
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourWhite
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

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 321,379 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread front and rear (0.1 (b))

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

Fail 1 Sep 2025 321,337 miles

Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect both front lights (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk stretched or damaged likely to lead to failure under load (7.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn track control arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively damaged front to back pipe crushed on chassis (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn track control arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged both rear brake pipes not secured properly and rubbing on axel/springs (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

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

Front Window damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chips in screen (3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2024 308,167 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Mar 2023 308,027 miles

All steering & suspension shows general age related wear

Both sides front wheel bearings slight play

Exhaust corroding

Front brake pads wearing thin

Front registration plate damaged

Oil leak (Not excessive)

Pass 26 Feb 2022 301,501 miles

All suspension shows general age and wear

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

Fail 26 Feb 2022 301,501 miles

All suspension shows general age and wear

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

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

Pass 8 Feb 2021 274,689 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))

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

Pass 10 May 2019 226,132 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security crossmember (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 3 May 2018 205,058 miles

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

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

Nearside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak ()

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 3 May 2018 205,037 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak ()

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 20 Apr 2017 168,865 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2016 168,756 miles

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

Fail 2 Feb 2016 168,755 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Brake pipe seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 2 Feb 2016 168,755 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin (2.5.A.3b)

Offside Front Brake pipe seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 18 Dec 2014 146,752 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2014 146,752 miles

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 2 Jan 2014 115,743 miles
Pass 2 Jan 2013 103,594 miles
Fail 31 Dec 2012 103,587 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 23 Dec 2011 79,834 miles

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

Front Steering arm damaged but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Pass 28 Jun 2011 75,575 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2010 66,951 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2010 66,940 miles

Nearside Front Torsion bar excessive play at an end fixing (2.4.E.2)

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

Pass 22 Jan 2009 61,066 miles
Fail 22 Jan 2009 61,066 miles

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 18 Apr 2008 51,984 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2008 51,983 miles

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

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 11 Apr 2007 41,503 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2006 29,607 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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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.

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VU03 YOC is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 VU03 YOC, 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 VU03 YOC?

You can check the full history of VU03 YOC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VU03 YOC registered?

VU03 YOC is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 15 August 2003.

Is VU03 YOC safe to buy?

The MOT history for VU03 YOC shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VU03 YOC 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 VU03 YOC. 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.