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YY03 BXE

2003 Land Rover Defender

Grey Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Sep 2026
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

208,977 mi
Last recorded208,977 miles
Recorded on9 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

RegistrationYY03 BXE
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

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 208,977 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2025 208,951 miles

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

Steering damper bushes worn.

Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Rear axle A-frame (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 23 Aug 2024 208,927 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 31 Aug 2023 208,820 miles

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

nsf lower link bushes worn

rear axle supper ball joint worn

Pass 4 Jul 2022 208,665 miles

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively front prop, rear joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering damper mounting bush worn

Fail 2 May 2019 208,655 miles

Emissions not tested due to excessive oil leak (8.2.2.2 (e))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Central Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component missing bump stop (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 6 Mar 2018 206,550 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

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

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

Fail 6 Mar 2018 206,550 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2017 198,463 miles

Central Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak ()

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

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

steering damper bushes slight play.

Fail 8 Mar 2017 198,458 miles

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

Brake has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)

Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Central Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

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

Offside Body mounting bolts loose

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak ()

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

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

steering damper bushes slight play.

Pass 25 Feb 2016 190,039 miles

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

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

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

oil leak

steering damper offside bush has slight play

Fail 24 Feb 2016 190,026 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Offside Front Steering column universal joint has excessive play (2.1.5)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

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

oil leak

steering damper offside bush has slight play

Pass 3 Mar 2015 181,730 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Steering system slightly rough (2.2.D.1)

steering damper slight play in offside bush

Pass 4 Mar 2014 174,385 miles

Coolant leak

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

steering damper offside front bush slight play

Fail 4 Mar 2014 174,385 miles

Coolant leak

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Oil leak

steering damper offside front bush slight play

Pass 13 Feb 2013 170,379 miles
Fail 5 Feb 2013 170,378 miles

Nearside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Nearside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Offside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 8 Sep 2010 169,997 miles

Oil leak

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

Fail 2 Sep 2010 169,982 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

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

Pass 15 Oct 2009 150,688 miles

exhaust fouling rear crossmember

steering damper bush worn

Pass 15 Oct 2009 150,688 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2009 150,668 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Nearside Front passenger door does not latch securely closed (6.2.B.1a)

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

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

exhaust fouling rear crossmember

steering damper bush worn

Pass 18 Mar 2009 137,143 miles
Fail 9 Mar 2009 136,827 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Mar 2008 107,926 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2007 73,721 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2006 34,486 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

YY03 BXE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender in Grey with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 YY03 BXE, 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 YY03 BXE?

You can check the full history of YY03 BXE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YY03 BXE registered?

YY03 BXE is a 2003 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 7 March 2003.

Is YY03 BXE safe to buy?

The MOT history for YY03 BXE shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YY03 BXE 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 YY03 BXE. 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.