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Y4 HLE

2003 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Nov 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

133,052 mi
Last recorded133,052 miles
Recorded on4 Nov 2025
Typical for 2003 Land Rover Defender86,068 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationY4 HLE
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc
View full Land Rover Defender reliability data Browse other 2003 Land Rover Defender registrations

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 12 fail
Pass 4 Nov 2025 133,052 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 tyres cracking (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 8 Nov 2024 131,685 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 6 Nov 2024 131,680 miles

Nearside Front Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam swivel pin/king pin (5.1.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt front joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 5 May 2023 130,394 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 4 May 2022 128,621 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material rear section of front to rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))

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 (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Fail 29 Apr 2022 128,614 miles

Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting rear crossmember corroded by nearside chassis section (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting rear crossmember corroded by offside chassis section (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt front joint gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear joint gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn swivel/steering pins/joints (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play lower column joint (2.2.2 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material rear section of front to rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))

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 (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 29 Apr 2021 125,675 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material rear section of front to rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Fail 26 Apr 2021 125,675 miles

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear joint on hub (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material rear section of front to rear brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 26 Mar 2020 119,864 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2019 114,818 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front bumper corroded

Offside Front wing damage

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

rear wheels outside of body

Fail 2 Apr 2019 114,818 miles

Central Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn top axle ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Driver's seat with a defective structure base (6.2.5 (a) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front bumper corroded

Offside Front wing damage

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

rear wheels outside of body

Pass 4 Apr 2018 108,420 miles

Front coil spring corroded x2 (2.4.C.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Rear coil spring corroded x2 (2.4.C.1b)

Steering column upper universal joint has slight play

rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Fail 3 Apr 2018 108,420 miles

Brake servo leaking (3.6.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Steering damper damaged and unserviceable bush (2.2.C.1d)

Front coil spring corroded x2 (2.4.C.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Rear coil spring corroded x2 (2.4.C.1b)

Steering column upper universal joint has slight play

rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Pass 23 Mar 2017 102,028 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2016 95,108 miles
Fail 7 Mar 2016 95,108 miles

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

Nearside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively split (8.2.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber detached (2.7.2b)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively split (8.2.2)

Pass 13 Mar 2015 88,534 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2015 88,534 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

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

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

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 27 Mar 2014 81,460 miles

n/s & o/s rear wheels outside vehicle body

Fail 25 Mar 2014 81,460 miles

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

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

n/s & o/s rear wheels outside vehicle body

Pass 2 Apr 2013 74,975 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2012 69,486 miles
Fail 6 Mar 2012 69,486 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 8 Mar 2011 61,872 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2010 51,326 miles

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

Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Pass 3 Mar 2010 51,326 miles

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

Fail 27 Feb 2009 56,891 miles

Nearside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 27 Feb 2009 56,891 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2008 54,020 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 6 Mar 2007 47,440 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Pass 6 Mar 2007 47,440 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2006 41,464 miles

near side head lamp cracked

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

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Y4 HLE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 Y4 HLE, 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 Y4 HLE?

You can check the full history of Y4 HLE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was Y4 HLE registered?

Y4 HLE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 5 March 2003.

Is Y4 HLE safe to buy?

The MOT history for Y4 HLE shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does Y4 HLE 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 Y4 HLE. 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.