Buying a 110 tomorrow - advice

Hi all,

I'm going to buy an '88 Defender 110 tomorrow, managed to get it for £2250 with some tax and ticket on it. Bodywork is nice, drives well and it's got a 200 TDi in it so all good there.

Problem is, some rot on the chassis. I'm going armed with a screwdriver and a bright torch to have a proper look underneath but from what I saw the other day when I went to look at is there is a quite a bit of rot by the back wheel on the chassis... I've borrowed this image from elsewhere on the net, and marked where I've found it.

My question is, is this a no go - do I walk away? Or do I say it's cheap and expect to have to put some chassis work in?

Please help... I'm really nervous it'll be a write off and fail the MOT within the first year of ownership!

JP

Any rot in the chassis is gonna be an MOT Fail.. If you want a rotfree motor FFS DO NOT!! buy a british made car. We make ****e cars that rot and fall apart without any provocation whatsoever.

I don't mind a bit of rot, I can cut out and weld some new material in... I just don't know which bits on a landy will write the chassis off....

How good is your welding

jammapic said:

I don't mind a bit of rot, I can cut out and weld some new material in... I just don't know which bits on a landy will write the chassis off....

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If you can get to it to weld it. then it won't fail

Just had this welded on my 110.





about 3/4's of the chassis has been welded over, and front chassis leg has been replaced, as has rear crossmember

Welding is ok, it's easily accessible!

if you can weld and get to it easily then use the rust and holes as a bargaining chip to bring the price down.

Check the outriggers and rear cross member and anywhere mud and water can get it self caught. like inner wings and the bottom of the doors.

Its going to take you time and material so money to fix.

Get the price down on these points alone.

Good luck.

OK, good stuff.

Going to view again shortly so I will take a screwdriver, get poking and see if I can get the price down a bit further.

I more wanted to check that any chassis rust can be fixed ;-)

JP

Good luck ... the chassis will need replacing eventually but if you can make it last 5 years or so you'll have plenty of time to save up the £2500 to have it replaced with a galvanised one

I say I won't keep it that long... but I'll probably fall in love with it. I already have 2 other project cars and a daily car!

Peugeot 306 GTi Track Car
Nissan 350z convertible
Peugeot 508 SW 2.2 HDi

and now a Defender 110!

JP

jammapic said:

I say I won't keep it that long... but I'll probably fall in love with it. I already have 2 other project cars and a daily car!

Peugeot 306 GTi Track Car
Nissan 350z convertible
Peugeot 508 SW 2.2 HDi

and now a Defender 110!

JP

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Land Rovers are for life ... you'll see

Indeed.

A few years ago I had my beloved Mazda written off. At that point in time my family business was clinging on for dear life as our main customer went bust owing us a substantial amount. I was skint and put my savings into the business to survive.

I was offered a Discovery on the cheap by someone I knew. I hated them up until that point but it was a decent offer in times of need so took him up on it.

I've never looked back. I now own a Defender 110 hard top, which is a bag of **** that needs loads doing to it yet but I love it to bits and when I can afford to upgrade it'll be a much newer defender 110 hard top. It's perfect for my outdoor lifestyle, my work, my dogs and it's just great fun between the points of frustration when things continuously go wrong! If I do have something different it'll be an L322 Range Rover. I love them but the defender just suits me more at present.

jammapic said:

I say I won't keep it that long... but I'll probably fall in love with it. I already have 2 other project cars and a daily car!

Peugeot 306 GTi Track Car
Nissan 350z convertible
Peugeot 508 SW 2.2 HDi

and now a Defender 110!

JP

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That's great, you'll have something to sell to fund your Landy addiction

When you get your nooooo motor, don't forget:nopics: tiz the
Otherwise we'll all just assume you have really bought a Gaylander

Just got back with it... I love it!

jammapic said:

Just got back with it... I love it!

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Great stuff ... don't forget :nopics:

So here she is... bit more rot in the chassis than I had hoped for, but hopefully I can sort it over the next few weeks.

Decided to take it up the hill for a quick blast...

jammapic said:

So here she is... bit more rot in the chassis than I had hoped for, but hopefully I can sort it over the next few weeks.

Decided to take it up the hill for a quick blast...

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Happy days, enjoy fella

Nice one fella, looks good. I know you're a very very long way from London but should you ever have cause to go there remember that you have a Hard Top which wont be LEZ compliant! ... Only a £400 per day fine though ... enjoy the countryside

Andy Land said:

Nice one fella, looks good. I know you're a very very long way from London but should you ever have cause to go there remember that you have a Hard Top which wont be LEZ compliant! ... Only a £400 per day fine though ... enjoy the countryside

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Tell me more please as I don't know the rules