First timer. Can you guys offer advice on this one on eBay?

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CalumM

Active Member
Posts
222
Location
Scotland
Hi all! I'm looking for a 110 van type with 3 seats in the front preferably. Would also like either 200tdi or 300tdi engine. I've been looking on eBay and found this, it's pretty much exactly what I'm after.

1993.L. LAND ROVER 110 DEFENDER 200 TDI BLUE VAN...PERFECT...PX WELCOME | eBay

My main problem is that I live north of Edinburgh and it's in the deep south in Yorkshire.

I'm also considering ex-mod but to buy it straight from the mod they all appear to be n/a 2.5 engines. Most are under 2k though, which seems pretty cheap.

Paying around 3k for a 110, it's not going to fall apart on me straight away is it? Could possibly stretch to 4k.
 
I note there are no photos of the underneath which makes me wonder if there are any horrors down below. As has been said many times on this forum check for rust on the chassis?
Question why is the floor Chequer plated? What is it hiding? If you are good with spanners then rust and other issues may not be a problem to you.
I am sure others with a greater depth of knowledge will add more detailed advice on what to look for.
 
Hello & Welcome.

I was having a look at that 110 on eBay last night. It looks okay but that is all just part of the problem because looks can certainly be very deceiving. Usually if the seller is not trying to hide something, they will include a photo of the underside / chassis, particularly the back end around the rear cross member and rear crossmember legs which are prone to rot. A picture of the engine wouldn't have done any harm either:- if it was covered in oil then you could immediately assume it had crank case pressurisation problems for example. Perhaps send him an email asking for a few extra photos (specifically the underside / engine area). If he complies then you can have a better look at the machine from your PC, if he refuses then you can probably assume that he is hiding something. At the end of the day it depends on whether or not you are willing to take a risk. Never take the sellers description as a true interpretation of what the vehicle is actually like. You need to go and see it for yourself and have a really good look, prod / poke, listen and drive. On the other hand it might be absolutely superb, you just never know! If you don't go for it then don't feel like you've missed out. There are hundreds of 110's & 90's of a similar age and price appearing on eBay ever day, there might even be one just around the corner from yourself. Scottish Landies do tend to rot to hell mind, there must be something in that course air of yours up there.

-Tom
 
That does look to be quite a tidy vehicle, but make sure you have a good look underneath. Key points to check are; bulkhead corners, Footwells, chassis outriggers and cross members. The 200Tdi is a very reliable engine, and with only 163,000 miles, will still have plenty of life left in it. £3k does seem to be in the right sort of area for a vehicle like that, provided that the pictures give a fair assessment as to it's condition. The MoD vehicles are usually pretty well maintained, although some of them may have had a hard life at the hands of ham fisted squaddies. The 2.5 N/A engine is pretty much bomb proof, but it could never be described as fast. Also the ex military 110's are extremely utilitarian.
 
Cheers for the help. In the last picture you can see the rear crossmember and it looks good. I'll ask for pictures of the chassis/engine.
It looks like the guy selling it is actually a dealer as he is selling/has sold lots of other vehicles. Dunno if that's a good thing or not.
I don't think I would ever pay 3k for something without seeing it, which means a trip down to yorkshire.
 
CalumM said:
Cheers for the help. In the last picture you can see the rear crossmember and it looks good. I'll ask for pictures of the chassis/engine.
It looks like the guy selling it is actually a dealer as he is selling/has sold lots of other vehicles. Dunno if that's a good thing or not.
I don't think I would ever pay 3k for something without seeing it, which means a trip down to yorkshire.
Click to expand...
Never be fooled by a chassis that looks solid, especially if painted or waxoyl'd. Take a big screwdriver with you and have a really good poke at the chassis and bulkhead, look for any soft spots.
 
Have a read through this Calum - it will help you avoid some potential horrors

Defender Buyers Guide


As the guys say, chasssis, chassis, chassis - am curious why the footwells have been replaced with chequer plate - may signpost corrosion underneath but easy to check
 
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If you buy on ebay ask the seller to provide photos and give a full description of the vehicle. Despite what sellers will have you believe you are not just bidding to buy, you are bidding to buy what is described. The contract you enter into by winning an auction relies on trust both ways.
If you bid and win a Landy thats described as rot free, then when you go to complete the deal if it turns out to be rotten and only fit for scrap then you are entitled to walk away.
 
CalumM said:
I'm also considering ex-mod but to buy it straight from the mod they all appear to be n/a 2.5 engines. Most are under 2k though, which seems pretty cheap.
Click to expand...

Most on the auction site for Withams are under 2k but these are the poor examples that go in the auction. They have hundreds of others that dont have rotten bulkheads and chassis but you have to go and visit the place. I picked up one last year that is solid. It was a NA but is now 200tdi. This is my thread if you want more inspiration Ex MOD 110 project
 
i went and had a look at this today all in all not a bad motor, but i'm no expert. the two front out riggers are rotten and need replacing they are beyond repair, the n/s one comes with the vehicle. the n/s bottom door hinge needs replacing, one comes with it. the chassis and rear crossmember are fine for the moment but they will need a clean up and a lick of paint/wax in the very near future to stop them becoming an issue. the bonnet release cable is broken i got to the engine by taking grill off. there is a small rust hole above the clutch fluid resevoir but the rest of the bulkhead looked fine. the engine and gearbox are sweet. no signs of leaks. started first time, no overheating, gear selection spot on. i did only take it for a short run but got it to temp. the plate on the floor does not appear to be hiding anything it was sound under there. the wheels on the vehicle do not come with it they are standard wheels and tyres in the back but he will throw them in if you make an offer. he is a dealer but only small time, had about 10 cars on the lot. he is selling for someone else and doesn't know a lot about them which might explain lack of photos. all the electrics worked. the door bottoms are sound. the brakes work. he is open to offers on this and if you dont mind sorting the underneath out then i think it might be worth making an offer, bid him down a bit. that is just my opinion though and i offer no warranty or guarantee with that:)
 
Wow thanks a lot captain skellon! I hope you didn't go out of your way just because of this thread.

I think I am now edging towards getting an ex mod one now though after reading a bit more about them. I wasn't aware that they had better ones, which weren't up for auction. I'll need to find out a bit more about it though first.
 
captain skellon said:
i went and had a look at this today all in all not a bad motor, but i'm no expert. the two front out riggers are rotten and need replacing they are beyond repair, the n/s one comes with the vehicle. the n/s bottom door hinge needs replacing, one comes with it. the chassis and rear crossmember are fine for the moment but they will need a clean up and a lick of paint/wax in the very near future to stop them becoming an issue. the bonnet release cable is broken i got to the engine by taking grill off. there is a small rust hole above the clutch fluid resevoir but the rest of the bulkhead looked fine. the engine and gearbox are sweet. no signs of leaks. started first time, no overheating, gear selection spot on. i did only take it for a short run but got it to temp. the plate on the floor does not appear to be hiding anything it was sound under there. the wheels on the vehicle do not come with it they are standard wheels and tyres in the back but he will throw them in if you make an offer. he is a dealer but only small time, had about 10 cars on the lot. he is selling for someone else and doesn't know a lot about them which might explain lack of photos. all the electrics worked. the door bottoms are sound. the brakes work. he is open to offers on this and if you dont mind sorting the underneath out then i think it might be worth making an offer, bid him down a bit. that is just my opinion though and i offer no warranty or guarantee with that:)
Click to expand...

What a nice thing to have done, good on you :)
 
cheers guys
i dont mind it was only a few mile down the road and i work from home so i need to get out every now and then and what better way to do it than roll around under a land rover
i was a squaddie for 8 years in the 90's and knocked about in landies. i drove a 90 2.5 N/A around canada for 6 months offroading non stop and it never failed. i drove a 110 in norway one winter that had the winter pack on it and again no probs. we did drive them like we stole them but they always got fixed correctly and serviced twice a year even if they didnt need it. try and get a war stock one if you can. these have been parked up and only get used as replacements when one gets trashed so a lot will have only a few miles on the clock
good luck:D
 
ratty said:
Be prepared to travel. My landys came from Southampton, Leeds, Edinburgh and Oldham.

I got all of em at what I consider to be good prices.
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I'd second that, I've bought cars as far away as 300 miles

My brother in law wanted to buy a 2 year old car from a garage 100 yards from his house, I got involved and found a brand new delivery mileage car for £300 more but it was 200 miles away.

If its the right vehicle it's worth a trip to look at it, if you book early train travel can be quite reasonable as long as you're not taking the family, I did Warrington to Cambridge for £32
 
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