First registration date for 300 defender?

Some L reg 200s at the end of the cycle had disc brakes on the rear.

Were the very first 300s only m reg, or were there any before August 1994?

What about the r380? I'm guessing none of them were ever fitted to 200s, so would have been linked (in time) to the 300, right?

My own factory 300 is "first registered August 1994" so I know, with certainty, that they were about then.

August is the change over for registration. July would be L reg.

So certainly no earlier 300s, or r380s, right? Even though some L reg have discs at the rear (not sure about diff splines etc)


I realize it's an odd question.

Thank you.

It would not be unusual with Land Rover of old to have parts from previous models in later models if parts were not available or they had stuff to use up, and sometimes it was the other way around if parts bin for that older model was empty and new type available.
A classic example is late 2a's with series three all syncro box. I had an early series 2 that had several series one bits.

I had an L reg 300Tdi hard top.

R380 wasn’t used with the 200Tdi. But the R380 Stumpy was specifically designed to be a warranty replacement for the LT-77. So may have been introduced earlier if supply of Lt-77’s was limited.

I have a March ’94 300tdi so one of the first I imagine

I have an L reg 300tdi too.
R380 G'Box
Rear discs.
What was your question ?

miktdish said:

I have an L reg 300tdi too.
R380 G'Box
Rear discs.
What was your question ?

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Trying to work out when the earliest date was for 300 era components.

The reason -

Dvla has an odd rule whereby IF parts were fitted by the manufacturer to a line within a 10 year period of build, you are allowed to fit them, retrospectively, without loosing "points" on their system.


My parts "stash" is all 300 era, as is my knowledge. I'm casually looking for another 110, and trying to work out what I can legally / 100% above board use my existing parts stash on.

I know it's a convoluted question, but that's the explanation!

miktdish said:

I have an L reg 300tdi too.
R380 G'Box
Rear discs.
What was your question ?

Click to expand...

So yours is 100% factory 300 (not a later mod, dealer or otherwise) and L reg?

Do you know the first registration date? (Dvla website says if you enter in the reg).

I'm thinking probably June or July of 1994? Although def man's is even earlier!

Mine was reg 3rd March ’94

Def90man said:

Mine was reg 3rd March ’94

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And is it 100% factory 300? Not (so far as you know) a dealer upgrade?

R380 and discs on the back etc? 48 spline steering?

I should imagine no one would be interested if you fitted a Ninety axle or a tdci axle to be honest, it is essentially the same is it not?

Anaconda said:

I should imagine no one would be interested if you fitted a Ninety axle or a tdci axle to be honest, it is essentially the same is it not?

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My thing is always...

If you mow down a que of "primary earners" at a bus stop, how hard is your insurance going to try to get out of paying out?

Yes. I

julianf said:

And is it 100% factory 300? Not (so far as you know) a dealer upgrade?

R380 and discs on the back etc? 48 spline steering?

Click to expand...

Yes, no, yes, yes, and yes

100% original, a lowly ‘90 truck cab with a 300tdi and discs on the back

Def90man said:

Yes. I


Yes, no, yes, yes, and yes

100% original, a lowly ‘90 truck cab with a 300tdi and discs on the back

View attachment 307668

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You want to be finding the right shaped "tuit" for that one! : )

Mine is 16th Feb 1994

julianf said:

My thing is always...

If you mow down a que of "primary earners" at a bus stop, how hard is your insurance going to try to get out of paying out?

Click to expand...

Understand your point but what about aftermarket parts, what's your feeling on them?

Anaconda said:

Understand your point but what about aftermarket parts, what's your feeling on them?

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Are we talking a britpart screen washer pump vs an OEM one?

If so, I'd be fine with that.

I'm ok with the britpart washer pump. I'm not so ok with an axel swap. There is a spectrum.

300tdi on Defender was introduced to line Feb ’94, so early production UK registered as L, then switched to M in Sep ‘94. Stock of 200tdi variant was run out during early 1994 but some stragglers were left in stock as unregistered then released.

julianf said:

Trying to work out when the earliest date was for 300 era components.

The reason -

Dvla has an odd rule whereby IF parts were fitted by the manufacturer to a line within a 10 year period of build, you are allowed to fit them, retrospectively, without loosing "points" on their system.


My parts "stash" is all 300 era, as is my knowledge. I'm casually looking for another 110, and trying to work out what I can legally / 100% above board use my existing parts stash on.

I know it's a convoluted question, but that's the explanation!

Click to expand...

What DVLA rule? What are you actually trying to do here?

I know of no such rule. Can you please link the .gov page with this?

julianf said:

Are we talking a britpart screen washer pump vs an OEM one?

If so, I'd be fine with that.

I'm ok with the britpart washer pump. I'm not so ok with an axel swap. There is a spectrum.

Click to expand...

Yes, I would be a bit worried fitting a blue box axle!