buying advice please

I have been offered a series 3 short wheel base landrover for £300

The owner died a year ago and the children are selling up, It currently doesnt start (battery we think) although it has had starter motor trouble in the past. thats the only problem they are aware of.

The price is £300 sold as seen, we can try to get it running. and the family in question are friends although not close friends.

My husband thinks that if it turns out to be no good it could be sold on for spares etc at that price.

I would love to have peoples thoughts, also what exactly should we be looking for on this model when we go to view it.

Sorry very girlie questions I know!!

All we want is a vehicle to tow a little livestock trailer and do a little light farm work. and we dont really have any money to play with or we would buy a more expensive car like a discovery. Also hubby likes to think this would be his new toy.

Many thanks

Rust is probably your biggest issue. go over the entire chassis witha hammer tap it it should give a metallic ringing sound, if in doubt poke about with a screwdriver, don't forget on top of chassis rails.Chassis repair parts are available or replacement chassis £700. Bulkhead is also a problem area, nomally goes first around air vents, repair part available cheap but fiddly to do. if major bulkhead rust= Big job. Brakes and electrics will probably need attention. Everything is available at normally less cost than most other cars and it's basically just big meccano. Be prepared to swear a lot and stock up on Swarfegga. Good Luck.

seems a fair price for a landy thats been off the road for some yrs. and yes you will get your money back for the spares if the worst comes to the worst.

the bulkhead and the rear crossmember are special areas to look at.
anything else is pretty straightforward and cheap/ish to repair.

Thats fairly positive advice, our main problem is getting it home to start work on when it isnt running, also wasnt keen to start insurance on non runner but cant put it on the road (even towing) without. Any suggestions

a mate with a trailer and tow vehicle would be best.

another driver would normally be covered by his/her own comprehensive policy if towing the landy. (3rd party only remember).

your still breaking the law however cause you aint got no mot/tax etc...
how far you got to go?

Surbiton - chesington, cant be more than 5 miles

do it early sunday morning when the roads are quiet. or late/ish at night when the coppers are busy with the drunks/fights etc...


make sure you have the landy battery (or a spare) charged up for some lights.

if you can borrow a rigid tow pole then you can tow it legally on the road as it is classed as a trailer

not with another driver steering and braking!

i did think about suggesting making up a rigid pole. or theres a chap on ebay that sells em fairly cheaply.