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VU53 GPX

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Aug 2027
Tests27 (21 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate77.8%

Mileage

182,371 mi
Last recorded182,371 miles
Recorded on22 Jul 2026
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

RegistrationVU53 GPX
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

21 pass 6 fail
Pass 22 Jul 2026 182,371 miles

Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported front to rear (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Coil spring corroded all four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed both outer (7.1.2 (b))

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

Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Pass 23 Jul 2025 175,439 miles

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 22 Jul 2025 175,418 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2024 166,236 miles

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 27 Jul 2023 158,070 miles

Front Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Fail 25 Jul 2023 158,064 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) incorrectly mounted (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

Steering box has excessive movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 20 Jul 2022 153,040 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush all 4 (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Pass 19 Jul 2021 147,075 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Aug 2020 142,558 miles

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

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

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

Pass 1 Aug 2019 134,304 miles

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

Central seat mountings corroding

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive power steering (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside rear (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed offside and nearside front and nearside rear (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 18 Jul 2018 121,771 miles
Pass 24 Jul 2017 110,953 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2016 99,520 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2016 99,520 miles

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings under wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings under rear wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to back to flexi hose (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 18 Aug 2015 85,376 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2014 75,462 miles
Pass 14 Aug 2013 68,112 miles
Pass 15 Aug 2012 59,355 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2011 56,996 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

Fail 26 Sep 2011 56,979 miles

Offside Front Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3) DANGEROUS

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

Pass 30 Sep 2010 53,896 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Fail 30 Sep 2010 53,896 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Pass 25 Sep 2009 51,436 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2008 46,166 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2007 38,477 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2007 38,477 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

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

Offside Rear reflector excessively damaged so that its function is impaired (1.5.1c)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 3 Oct 2006 28,846 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.

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VU53 GPX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 VU53 GPX, 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 VU53 GPX?

You can check the full history of VU53 GPX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VU53 GPX registered?

VU53 GPX is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 2003.

Is VU53 GPX safe to buy?

The MOT history for VU53 GPX shows 27 tests with a 77.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VU53 GPX 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 VU53 GPX. 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.