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XR03 LEW

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Sep 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

183,479 mi
Last recorded183,479 miles
Recorded on24 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

RegistrationXR03 LEW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourGrey
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 13 fail
Pass 24 Sep 2025 183,479 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2025 183,479 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Rear Body panel damaged and likely to cause injury (6.2.1 (a) (i))

reversing light lens defective

Pass 26 Sep 2024 178,570 miles

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

Fail 26 Sep 2024 178,562 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

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

Pass 28 Sep 2023 174,657 miles

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

Fail 27 Sep 2023 174,618 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened spring (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Pass 23 Sep 2022 170,176 miles

Drag link end ball joint has slight play steering box (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Jun 2021 161,969 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2019 152,130 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 6 Dec 2019 152,130 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Nov 2018 145,489 miles

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached bars (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Oct 2018 145,480 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))

Fuel tank insecure (6.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Registration plate lamp missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Axle swivel joint so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached bars (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Nov 2017 136,828 miles

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

Pass 15 Nov 2016 128,493 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2016 128,432 miles

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 16 Oct 2015 121,454 miles
Fail 15 Oct 2015 121,454 miles

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

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

Prop Shaft bolts loose

Pass 16 Oct 2014 115,003 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2014 115,002 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2013 108,376 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside obligatory indirect vision device damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 9 Oct 2013 108,374 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fuel system component insecure (7.2.1)

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

Offside Front Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside obligatory indirect vision device damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 25 Oct 2012 98,285 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)

Fail 25 Oct 2012 98,285 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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 7 Oct 2011 86,872 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 5 Oct 2011 86,868 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

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

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

Nearside Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 4 Oct 2010 75,208 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2009 63,506 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2009 63,506 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 9 Sep 2008 51,130 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2007 41,887 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2007 41,886 miles

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

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

Pass 19 Sep 2006 32,531 miles

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

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

rear diff seal leaking oil

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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XR03 LEW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

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 XR03 LEW, 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 XR03 LEW?

You can check the full history of XR03 LEW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was XR03 LEW registered?

XR03 LEW is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 25 September 2003.

Is XR03 LEW safe to buy?

The MOT history for XR03 LEW shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does XR03 LEW 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 XR03 LEW. 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.