Getting my first Landrover..freelander 1 td4

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It's difficult to judge the condition of the VCU by reversing at full lock. There will always be an amount of drag. Less so if the rear tyres are more worn than the front. This is why I raised my initial caution to the vehicle. ;)

As long as you take the plunge with all the information and your eyes wide open. Then that's all we ask. If it all goes bad, the we can say. We told you so!! ;)
 
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Registration number: HV53BHL
  • Vehicle makeLAND ROVER
  • Vehicle modelFREELANDER
  • Date first used20 September 2003
  • Fuel typeDiesel
  • ColourBlue
MOT history of this vehicle
  • Test date26 September 2016
  • Expiry date26 September 2017
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading111,260 miles
  • MOT test number9916 7202 3009
  • Advisory notice item(s)
    Front Brake pipe slightly corroded all brake pipes rear (3.6.B.2c)
    Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
  • Test date25 September 2015
  • Expiry date26 September 2016
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading100,822 miles
  • MOT test number8733 8337 4765
  • Advisory notice item(s)
    Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
    Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
    Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  • Test date10 September 2014
  • Expiry date26 September 2015
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading93,475 miles
  • MOT test number5374 0385 4214
  • Test date8 September 2014
  • Test ResultFail
  • Odometer reading93,474 miles
  • MOT test number6370 2135 4267
  • Reason(s) for failure
    Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
    Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)
    Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
  • Advisory notice item(s)
    Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)
  • Test date21 September 2013
  • Expiry date26 September 2014
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading85,528 miles
  • MOT test number3473 4406 3435
  • Test date24 September 2012
  • Expiry date26 September 2013
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading77,373 miles
  • MOT test number2497 9836 2291
  • Test date21 September 2011
  • Expiry date26 September 2012
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading69,574 miles
  • MOT test number5587 2496 1245
  • Test date27 September 2010
  • Expiry date26 September 2011
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading61,735 miles
  • MOT test number4601 5027 0281
  • Test date24 July 2010
  • Expiry date12 August 2011
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading60,821 miles
  • MOT test number7930 1500 0256
  • Test date24 July 2010
  • Test ResultFail
  • Odometer reading60,821 miles
  • MOT test number3418 4500 0434
  • Reason(s) for failure
    Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)
  • Test date13 August 2009
  • Expiry date12 August 2010
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading55,519 miles
  • MOT test number4842 0572 9274
  • Advisory notice item(s)
    Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  • Test date21 August 2008
  • Expiry date20 September 2009
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading49,392 miles
  • MOT test number4434 3403 8218
  • Test date21 August 2008
  • Test ResultFail
  • Odometer reading49,392 miles
  • MOT test number9705 9453 8222
  • Reason(s) for failure
    Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
    Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)
  • Test date14 September 2007
  • Expiry date20 September 2008
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading42,953 miles
  • MOT test number4006 8735 7211
  • Test date26 August 2006
  • Expiry date20 September 2007
  • Test ResultPass
  • Odometer reading34,952 miles
  • MOT test number4637 0813 6299
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John
 
Last edited:
Well we've driven about in it ande had a crawl underneath etc. It seems to dive well, in a straight line etc. Clutch seems solid enough and the brakes are 'significantly' better than on my Defender.
No rot on the rear chassis or suspension mounts, the tank guard is a bit rusty but nothing a wire brush and a can of Tannic Acid based rust killer wouldn't cure.
The hand brake doesn't do a lot and I found the engine/gearbox was very car like.

We did notice that the tailgate window didn't drop as it should but needed a helping hand. It runs up ok when you shut the door though. BJ was out feeling the VCU and said it was only warm after a mile or so (I don't know)...

Apart from a few other niggles (rear wiper loose) it seems OK.
Cars are more expensive up here and the dealer only (verbally) offered a 30 day engine/gearbox warranty.....
 
miktdish said:
Well we've driven about in it ande had a crawl underneath etc. It seems to dive well, in a straight line etc. Clutch seems solid enough and the brakes are 'significantly' better than on my Defender.
No rot on the rear chassis or suspension mounts, the tank guard is a bit rusty but nothing a wire brush and a can of Tannic Acid based rust killer wouldn't cure.
The hand brake doesn't do a lot and I found the engine/gearbox was very car like.

We did notice that the tailgate window didn't drop as it should but needed a helping hand. It runs up ok when you shut the door though. BJ was out feeling the VCU and said it was only warm after a mile or so (I don't know)...

Apart from a few other niggles (rear wiper loose) it seems OK.
Cars are more expensive up here and the dealer only (verbally) offered a 30 day engine/gearbox warranty.....
Click to expand...
Dunno about Scottishland, but I think by law - 6 months warranty
 
miktdish said:
Well we've driven about in it ande had a crawl underneath etc. It seems to dive well, in a straight line etc. Clutch seems solid enough and the brakes are 'significantly' better than on my Defender.
No rot on the rear chassis or suspension mounts, the tank guard is a bit rusty but nothing a wire brush and a can of Tannic Acid based rust killer wouldn't cure.
The hand brake doesn't do a lot and I found the engine/gearbox was very car like.

We did notice that the tailgate window didn't drop as it should but needed a helping hand. It runs up ok when you shut the door though. BJ was out feeling the VCU and said it was only warm after a mile or so (I don't know)...

Apart from a few other niggles (rear wiper loose) it seems OK.
Cars are more expensive up here and the dealer only (verbally) offered a 30 day engine/gearbox warranty.....
Click to expand...

So the best test to carry out, now you've had a good look is the One Wheel Up Test. This will give you a good indication of the condition of the VCU. If the VCU condition is satisfactory, then it's wise to change the oils in the IRD and rear diff. Make sure all tyres are identical and the least worn go on the rear. ;)
 
A big thanks to Mick who checked it over and also drove it. After a mile on a country lane I stopped and felt the vcu...cold then mick drove it and scared me lol 10 mins later after reversing in circles etc...very smooth and good... I felt the vcu again..like a Luke warm cuppa tea..perhaps 30c. Clutch strong everything good and quiet.. No rattle today. Turbo quiet but working. Brakes brilliant.
Things wrong and have been mentioned and they will fix...
Rear wiper flapping loose. Rear window not working as it should. Passenger rear window not working. Handbrake needs attention.
Craig the mechanic from a nearby garage checking it for pre mot later today and knows our concerns re vcu etc

Feeling more confident in it.
Mick doesn't think it's ever been off road and appears to have been well looked after..

John
 
Freelandananda said:
A big thanks to Mick who checked it over and also drove it. After a mile on a country lane I stopped and felt the vcu...cold then mick drove it and scared me lol 10 mins later after reversing in circles etc...very smooth and good... I felt the vcu again..like a Luke warm cuppa tea..perhaps 30c. Clutch strong everything good and quiet.. No rattle today. Turbo quiet but working. Brakes brilliant.
Things wrong and have been mentioned and they will fix...
Rear wiper flapping loose. Rear window not working as it should. Passenger rear window not working. Handbrake needs attention.
Craig the mechanic from a nearby garage checking it for pre mot later today and knows our concerns re vcu etc

Feeling more confident in it.
Mick doesn't think it's ever been off road and appears to have been well looked after..

John
Click to expand...
Temperature of VCU is no indicator of its suitability. It "works" at about 100C. If it had failed in either seized or "mondo" mode, it would be stone cold.
 
From your description on the test drive, the Swingometer looks to have moved a bit for the Good.

healthcheck-swingometer1.jpg


Doesn't mean you won't need a VCU (you'll need to do the 1WUT to find out) and fix tyres to all be the same - or indeed that it won't collapse in a heap once you've driven it off the forecourt!
 
Swingometers and no election...lol. I like the idea. My first reaction to the swingometer is that my opinion would be 10% higher... To 70%. Then once the work has been done and a years mot then up to 80. 20% must be missing for the unknown as yet. I know I'm probably a little biased but now feeling far more positive about it... Largely down to Mick checking it over and a further test drive putting it through its paces. Drives like a far younger car...IMO

John
 
Thanks...
1. Vcu test 1WUT
2.4 matching tyres
3. Change oils in ird and rear diff

Has recently had engine oil change and 2 filters..
Did I read something about a breather on fl to be done?

John
 
The TD4 has a few "character" traits, such as HPFP Regulator O ring seals and lift pumps failures but they're not to costly/complex to fix. The one you're looking at is also coming to the age/mileage where injectors may start causing issues and they're not cheap, the clutch and hydraulics are also costly bits on a TD4.

That's the doom and gloom bits though. My 18 year old L Series still feels like a good car much younger than its years and apart from destroying its transmission (which was probably my fault!) has been fantastically reliable in the 7 years I've had it. Freelander are decent motors :) So if you sort the things out on your list, you should be rewarded with good motoring.

Just hope, when you change the oil in the IRD that it doesn't come out grey - cos that will be its bearings suspended in the lubrication!
 
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