Any known P38 rust issues?

Hi all. I’m looking to purachase a Range Rover P38 for off roading / green laning, I’m looking for a 1999 onwards V8. Are there any known rust / corrosion issues that I should look for or be concerned about? I’ve had a number of Discos in the past and all required extensive welding in the end.

Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

Nothing like the Disco.Chassis was galvanize dipped. My 95 is solid the 98 needs a patch passenger side floor to sill, its only an inch or so, the rest is solid.

tomcat59alan said:

Nothing like the Disco.Chassis was galvanize dipped. My 95 is solid the 98 needs a patch passenger side floor to sill, its only an inch or so, the rest is solid.

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Odd you should mention that. I've looked at quite a few recently and the earlier ones seem to be better than the '98 onwards ones. My 1995 one is pretty much mint underneath.

Some of the ones I have seen that live near the sea look bad underneath but that's the same for all cars near the seaside.

The P38 remains the most rust proof of any Land Rover made.......although the most troublesome spot is the ali corrosion on the lower tailgate.....thats about it!!!

Thank you for the information, very appreciated. I did have a 1999 4.0SE some 10 years ago and if I remember correctly the chassis and under body looked near new for a 9 / 10 year old Range Rover, wasn’t sure how it might look now. Shame the Defenders & Discos weren’t treated to the same benefits. So chassis and body not a problem, just the electrics, suspension and engine to worry about!!!

Grrr’s is cleaner than most but he’s right, my neglected ‘95 is in better shape underneath than newer ones. Perhaps mud and clay have protected it? Most of it’s dirt not rust. Exhaust will rust but front pipe never goes. Slight Ali-corrosion here and there particularly on the ones with plastic trim around arches but nothing serious just cosmetic

Not seen a single P38 comparable to Disco yet. Even the worserer ones are surface rust can be ground out and painted like new

Luck of the draw and it depends where they have been used, my 95 is very rusty, the 99 & 00 are as good as new apart from the plastic trim.

Plastics are difficult to rejuvenate. If you paint one bit up it turns into a full time job matching the rest

P38's don't really rust if looked after..

Much better than any other LR.


However i'd check the tow bar mounting crossmember for any corrosion, every P38 i've seen has a bit of crust on it..

You can't tell where the rust is on a P38, it all covered over with P38 filler and painted to hide it isn't it?
I thought that was how it got the name...
Just kidding of course. My "W" reg bus is like new, just a fine smattering of surface rust and lots of loose road-dirt.

My disco virtually fell apart due to rust worm. My P38 doesn't suffer from any of the problems what a blessing

Thank you all for your replies, nothing major to worry about then. no to go searching.

Just to show you - mine is an early 95 (when they 1st came about). The more I attack it with a stiff wire brush, the more black paint is revealed. There is some surface rust but nothing serious even after 24yrs. The back axle is normally bit shabbier

It was same as upper left corner. Most of what looks like rust is just caked on mud/clay and road dirt from the years.

Places I have found rust over 10 years of ownership of my ex farm fleet 1999 P38 (I mention that because she had a hard life before I got her):

Leading edge of bonnet.
Leading edge of roof.
Rear wheel arches.
Lower tailgate.

That's it. Nothing really major, but treat it early if you have it.