2003 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · DV52 VCK
2003 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 05 Feb 2003. Recorded mileage 225,769 miles. MOT expired on 28 Sept 2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Shrewsbury
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 28 Sept 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 225,769 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
DV52 VCK Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 12/10/2026
- 225,769 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
DV52 VCK MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Land Rover Defender (DV52 VCK) between November 2022 and October 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 12 October 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (5 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Steering (1 issue), Suspension (1 issue), Bodywork (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 18 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a bod”; “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural streng”; “Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
DV52 VCK Mileage History
- 14/11/2022199,320 mi
- 08/11/2023213,660 mi+14,340 mi
- 18/09/2025221,283 mi+7,623 mi
- 30/09/2025221,332 mi+49 mi
- 12/10/2026225,769 mi+4,437 mi
Average of roughly 6,764 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Land Rover Defender (Classic L316)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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LAND ROVER DEFENDER Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Chassis and Bulkhead CorrosionSerious
The steel chassis and bulkhead rot from the inside out, often hidden by underseal or carpet.
- Oil Leaks from Gaskets and SealsModerate
Worn valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and crankshaft seals cause persistent oil leaks. The rear main seal is particularly prone on later Puma models.
- TD5 Injector Harness Oil MigrationSerious
Oil seeps along the injector wiring harness into the ECU red plug, causing rough running, misfires, and potential ECU damage.
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