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YS03 SSJ

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Aug 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

161,400 mi
Last recorded161,400 miles
Recorded on18 Aug 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

RegistrationYS03 SSJ
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 18 Aug 2025 161,400 miles

Nearside Body mounting fixing insecure, but overall security not significantly reduced middle chassis outrigger body support seriously holed and corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Body mounting fixing insecure, but overall security not significantly reduced middle chassis outrigger body support seriously holed and corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened face badly corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 15 Aug 2025 161,400 miles

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

Nearside Body mounting fixing insecure, but overall security not significantly reduced middle chassis outrigger body support seriously holed and corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Body mounting fixing insecure, but overall security not significantly reduced middle chassis outrigger body support seriously holed and corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened face badly corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 14 Aug 2024 158,573 miles

Body fixing missing, but overall security not significantly reduced n/s and o/s outer body mountings very badly corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Body mounting fixing insecure, but overall security not significantly reduced n/s and o/s outer middle body mountings badly corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened disc badly corroded on inside edge (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 15 Aug 2023 155,491 miles

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

Oil leak, but not excessive various oil leaks on engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member corroded. towing equipment removed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 14 Aug 2023 155,491 miles

Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting cross member holed and corroded within 30cm of tow bar (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive various oil leaks on engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Aug 2022 152,688 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis and suspension components showing signs of advanced corrosion. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 5 Aug 2022 152,688 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated brake dash light illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis and suspension components showing signs of advanced corrosion. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 6 Aug 2021 149,310 miles

Offside Front brake caliper possibly leaking

Offside Front radius arm bolt possibly loose [ rusty]

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

Fail 2 Aug 2021 149,270 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn "D" bush anti roll bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front brake caliper possibly leaking

Offside Front radius arm bolt possibly loose [ rusty]

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

Pass 6 Aug 2020 146,757 miles

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 5 Aug 2020 146,757 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up (5.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 29 May 2019 142,933 miles

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

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

Fail 28 May 2019 142,933 miles

Nearside 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))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn anti roll bar D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 May 2018 139,312 miles
Pass 8 May 2017 134,645 miles

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel upper u/j has slight wear (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 11 May 2016 130,305 miles
Fail 11 May 2016 130,304 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm ball joint (2.2.C.1c)

Lower Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel steering coloum U/J worn (2.1.2b)

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)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front pipe holed and corroding (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Pass 12 May 2015 125,252 miles
Pass 13 May 2014 116,402 miles

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 13 May 2014 116,402 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 9 May 2013 107,702 miles

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 7 May 2013 107,701 miles

Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering (2.5.A.3a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Prop-shaft universal joint worn

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 10 May 2012 97,055 miles
Pass 17 May 2011 86,168 miles
Pass 12 May 2010 74,993 miles

Oil leak

Fail 10 May 2010 74,993 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering (2.5.A.3a)

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

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

Pass 8 May 2009 64,417 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Fail 7 May 2009 64,417 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Upper Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Pass 9 May 2008 52,718 miles
Fail 8 May 2008 52,718 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 18 May 2007 41,858 miles
Pass 22 May 2006 30,118 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

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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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YS03 SSJ 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 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 YS03 SSJ, 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 YS03 SSJ?

You can check the full history of YS03 SSJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YS03 SSJ registered?

YS03 SSJ is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 28 May 2003.

Is YS03 SSJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for YS03 SSJ 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 YS03 SSJ 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 YS03 SSJ. 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.