CarVerify

Free Car Check

W111 RSL

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Oct 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

88,851 mi
Last recorded88,851 miles
Recorded on8 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationW111 RSL
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlue
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 9 fail
Pass 8 Oct 2025 88,851 miles

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

Offside dip beam slightly dim

Fail 10 Sep 2025 88,805 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle fouling suspension on lock to lock check (5.2.3 (f))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front dip beam slightly dim

Rear subframe ball joint slight movement

Pass 6 Dec 2023 88,749 miles

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

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

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

Pass 14 Dec 2022 88,696 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2020 88,162 miles

no rear seats fitted time of test

Fail 7 Jul 2020 88,162 miles

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

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements number plate not fitted to front of car (0.1 (d))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Towbar is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

no rear seats fitted time of test

Pass 22 Nov 2018 88,114 miles

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

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

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

Rear disc faces rusty

Fail 19 Nov 2018 88,114 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Towbar excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting crossmember (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fuel tank exhaust shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire (6.1.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Rear disc faces rusty

Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Jun 2017 88,102 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2017 88,102 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Central Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Upper Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 1 Jul 2016 86,898 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2016 86,898 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour lens broken (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened inside (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened inside (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

Offside Front Upper Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened inside (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Rear brake disc modified and seriously weakened inside (3.5.1n)

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 3 Jul 2015 84,853 miles

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

Fail 23 Jun 2015 84,853 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jun 2014 77,869 miles

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

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

Fail 16 Jun 2014 77,869 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

Pass 24 Jun 2013 75,872 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

all tyres cracked

Fail 18 Jun 2013 75,859 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

all tyres cracked

Pass 18 Jun 2012 72,722 miles
Pass 21 Jun 2011 67,196 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2010 59,003 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2009 61,636 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2008 47,943 miles
Fail 12 Apr 2007 46,256 miles

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

Pass 12 Apr 2007 46,256 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2006 37,883 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

W111 RSL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 W111 RSL, 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 W111 RSL?

You can check the full history of W111 RSL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was W111 RSL registered?

W111 RSL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 10 March 2003.

Is W111 RSL safe to buy?

The MOT history for W111 RSL shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does W111 RSL 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 W111 RSL. 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.