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WA03 HYL

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Oct 2026
Tests34 (18 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate52.9%

Mileage

177,342 mi
Last recorded177,342 miles
Recorded on2 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationWA03 HYL
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

18 pass 16 fail
Pass 2 Oct 2025 177,342 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 25 Sep 2025 177,342 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Indicator switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

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

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

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting rear cross member (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2024 174,520 miles

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

Fail 13 Jun 2024 174,516 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Pass 5 May 2023 169,579 miles

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

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

Fail 4 May 2023 169,577 miles

Nearside Front Outer Brake pipe excessively damaged (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 5 May 2022 162,993 miles

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

Offside Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Seat belt slightly damaged Webbing has caught in door catch. (7.1.2 (b) (i))

nearside front swivel housing leaking

Fail 3 May 2022 162,993 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Seat belt slightly damaged Webbing has caught in door catch. (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 6 May 2021 155,046 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Vehicle cross-member corroded on bottom face. (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Outer Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 4 May 2021 155,044 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Front Drive shaft badly damaged Sliding joint very badly worn. (6.1.7 (e))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Rear Drive shaft joint excessively worn Rear joint worn out (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Drag link end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment Steering box joint (2.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Vehicle cross-member corroded on bottom face. (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Offside Outer Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 7 May 2019 140,555 miles

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Rear cross member. (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Fail 25 Apr 2019 140,552 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Brake servo defective or ineffective Righthand side of casing broken adjacent to the master cylinder attachment point. (1.1.10 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working and smashed. (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Brakes imbalanced across an axle Performance low. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn A Frame ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Drag link end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment (2.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Towbar slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Rear cross member. (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Pass 2 May 2018 132,693 miles
Fail 1 May 2018 132,692 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt At steering box drop arm. (2.2.C.1c)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Fuel system component leaking Regulator or pipework (7.2.3)

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting Cross member fractured and holed around OS tailgate mounting. (6.6.6)

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

Rear propshaft missing therefore no effective handbrake operation.

Pass 26 Apr 2017 124,660 miles

Oil leak

Surface corrosion on the chassis in several areas

Fail 24 Apr 2017 124,660 miles

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp Bulb incorrectly fitted, brake light on all the time. (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play Steering box arm joint worn out. (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear Direction indicator deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance Lens cover broken (1.4.A.2e)

Pass 22 Apr 2016 116,164 miles

Nearside Front wing has damage

Fail 19 Apr 2016 116,157 miles

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

Brake servo leaking servo cracked adjacent to master cylinder fasteners (3.6.C.1c)

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Front brake pads low

Front front propshaft rear joint in poor condition

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

Nearside Front wing has damage

Rear brake pads low

Rear propshaft rear joint poor condition

Pass 24 Apr 2015 107,641 miles

Front and rear brake pads worn

Rear axel 'A' frame has slight play in the ball joint

Tractor joints both leaking

Fail 20 Apr 2015 107,641 miles

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

Registration plate lamp shows direct white light to the rear (1.1.C.1f)

Front and rear brake pads worn

Rear axel 'A' frame has slight play in the ball joint

Tractor joints both leaking

Pass 25 Apr 2014 99,349 miles
Fail 23 Apr 2014 99,349 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot (2.7.4)

Offside Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Front Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has slight play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Handbrake warning light on

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

Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has slight play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Pass 18 Apr 2013 89,695 miles

Clutch pedal rubber missing

Fail 11 Apr 2013 89,695 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Clutch pedal rubber missing

Play in rear uj

Pass 26 Mar 2012 78,915 miles
Pass 28 Feb 2011 69,328 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2011 69,328 miles

Nearside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Pass 23 May 2009 53,374 miles
Fail 22 May 2009 53,374 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

Pass 23 May 2008 42,986 miles
Fail 23 May 2008 42,986 miles

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

Pass 25 May 2007 31,593 miles
Fail 25 May 2007 31,593 miles

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

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

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

Pass 1 Jun 2006 22,308 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

WA03 HYL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.9%.

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 WA03 HYL, 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 WA03 HYL?

You can check the full history of WA03 HYL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was WA03 HYL registered?

WA03 HYL is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 30 May 2003.

Is WA03 HYL safe to buy?

The MOT history for WA03 HYL shows 34 tests with a 52.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does WA03 HYL 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 WA03 HYL. 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.