2003 Land Rover Defender 2.5L Diesel · WP03 FWR
2003 Land Rover Defender (2.5L, diesel). First registered 23 Jun 2003. Recorded mileage 165,742 miles. MOT expired on 18 Oct 2026.
- Make & Model
- LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Bristol
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 18 Oct 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 165,742 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.
WP03 FWR Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 19/10/2026
- 165,742 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
WP03 FWR 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 (WP03 FWR) between October 2024 and October 2026.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 19 October 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (6 issues), Brakes (4 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 14 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 Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”.
WP03 FWR Mileage History
- 17/10/2024156,722 mi
- 17/10/2024156,722 mi
- 17/10/2025161,554 mi+4,832 mi
- 17/10/2025161,554 mi
- 19/10/2026165,742 mi+4,188 mi
Average of roughly 4,501 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: Poor
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.
Vehicle & Plate History
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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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