2003 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · RL03 SRU
2003 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 18 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 79,304 miles. MOT valid until 19 Jan 2027.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 19 Jan 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 79,304 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.
RL03 SRU Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 14/01/2026
- 79,304 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
RL03 SRU 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 (RL03 SRU) between January 2024 and January 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 14 January 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
RL03 SRU Mileage History
- 16/01/202478,090 mi
- 18/01/202478,091 mi+1 mi
- 13/01/202579,232 mi+1,141 mi
- 13/01/202679,302 mi+70 mi
- 14/01/202679,304 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 608 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: 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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