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VX03 LKD

2003 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Nov 2026
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

172,677 mi
Last recorded172,677 miles
Recorded on20 Nov 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

RegistrationVX03 LKD
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

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 20 Nov 2025 172,677 miles

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play Joint on top of rear axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Some grease/oil seepage from both front swivel hubs

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Metal pipe leading to flexible hose corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Metal pipe leading to flexible hose corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Drivers seat back rest and base cushion deteriorated

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre Screw in edge of tread ()

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Metal pipe leading to rear flexible hose covered in grease (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Play at flange where propshaft is attached to rear axle

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Lettering characters starting to delaminate (0.1 (b))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test Pin not fitted to hitch ()

Fail 11 Nov 2025 172,675 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn Front propshaft , rear joint badly worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated & some play noted (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm Drivers belt (7.1.2 (b))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Central Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play Joint on top of rear axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Some grease/oil seepage from both front swivel hubs

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Metal pipe leading to flexible hose corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Metal pipe leading to flexible hose corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Drivers seat back rest and base cushion deteriorated

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre Screw in edge of tread ()

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Metal pipe leading to rear flexible hose covered in grease (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Play at flange where propshaft is attached to rear axle

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Lettering characters starting to delaminate (0.1 (b))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test Pin not fitted to hitch ()

Pass 13 Nov 2024 170,186 miles

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Drivers seat base & back deteriorating

Nearside Front 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))

Rear differential pinion flange loose

n/s front hub oil seal leaking

Fail 6 Nov 2024 170,183 miles

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

Prop shaft securing bolt missing Brake drum flange (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive that directional control is impaired (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Drivers seat base & back deteriorating

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

Rear differential pinion flange loose

n/s front hub oil seal leaking

Pass 17 Nov 2023 167,268 miles

Both rear tyres perished

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

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

Slight leak from steering box

Fail 13 Nov 2023 167,264 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Both rear tyres perished

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

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

Slight leak from steering box

Pass 24 Nov 2022 164,446 miles

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 23 Nov 2022 164,440 miles

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

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

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

Steering locking device ineffective steering arm (2.1.3 (d))

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 30 Nov 2021 162,256 miles

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

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))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 30 Nov 2021 162,256 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

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

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

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 26 Nov 2020 159,465 miles

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

Fail 24 Nov 2020 159,463 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 May 2019 155,298 miles

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

Oil leak from steering box

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

Fail 23 May 2019 155,298 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak from steering box

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

Pass 24 May 2018 151,502 miles

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

Slight leak from steering box

Fail 23 May 2018 151,498 miles

Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (3.3 (b) (ii))

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

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

Slight leak from steering box

Pass 21 Apr 2017 144,640 miles

Slight leak from steering box

Fail 18 Apr 2017 144,640 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Intermediate drop arm insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

Rear registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Handbrake travel

Slight leak from steering box

Pass 31 Dec 2016 141,315 miles
Fail 31 Dec 2016 141,315 miles

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

Pass 22 Dec 2015 135,029 miles
Pass 1 Dec 2014 128,734 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2013 122,999 miles
Fail 7 Nov 2013 122,999 miles

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

Pass 6 Jul 2012 113,812 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2012 113,714 miles

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

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

off side and near side rear discs corroded on inner

Pass 5 Jul 2011 100,472 miles
Pass 7 Jul 2010 89,512 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2009 82,422 miles

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

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

Pass 19 Jun 2008 72,703 miles

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

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

Fail 17 Jun 2008 72,595 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jun 2007 62,766 miles
Pass 13 May 2006 53,118 miles

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

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 25 Apr 2006 53,076 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.2.1d)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low when the centre of the headlamp is above 850mm from the ground (1.6.B3)

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

VX03 LKD is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

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 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 VX03 LKD, 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 VX03 LKD?

You can check the full history of VX03 LKD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VX03 LKD registered?

VX03 LKD is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 16 April 2003.

Is VX03 LKD safe to buy?

The MOT history for VX03 LKD shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VX03 LKD 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 VX03 LKD. 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.