How reliable/unreliable has your defender been?

I'd say I had advance notice of less than half the problems.

The lights didn't say one morning "Next weekend, I'm going to start flashing the rear brake lights whenever you use the indicators, ok?"

Likewise, the alternator started draining the battery one weekend, without seeking prior permission.

And the wheel bearing didn't post a letter in advance that it would fail and lock up the wheel whilst I was driving.

On the other hand, the swivel balls leaked quite a bit and I topped it up until I could replace it. And the UJ had movement, so I knew that was on the list too.

So, I'm just saying that we've had "My Landy is 72 years old, never been serviced, starts first time". I just thought I would reply with mine.

And, of course, I don't expect to have 0 problems, clearly. Never said I did. I'm just saying it hasn't been reliable which it, clearly, hasn't.

And I'm not a hater - looking at buying a brand new one in the next month as there's nothing better to drive. Hopefully, I won't have problems with that!

When you came on here, the impression was that you had had nothing but trouble, and some of us responded to that.

The reason that your wheel bearings siezed up was undoubtedly due to a lack of lubrication. You have even indicated as such by saying that your swivel housings leaked! Wouldn't that give you a clue??

Your lighting issue is probably down to a bad earth on the circuit, which is often quite easily sorted.

The alternator draining the battery could also be caused due to bad earthing, which affects the consistency of the battery charge and discharge.

I have had no trouble at all with prop shafts or UJ's as they get regularly topped up with grease ... failure to do so is almost a guaranteed premature component failure!

Most of the failure rate of anything mechanical can usually be put down to a lack of maintenance!

Believe it or not, most of us on this forum are willing to help and advise!

Hope you enjoy your new Fender, and please let us know what you will be doing with the 'unreliable' one!

After 4 hours of re-earthing the sidelights and indicators, re-seating each of the fuses/holders and trying to remove the corrosion from the fuse board, it's no longer behaving like an 80s school disco when I indicate, brake or put the lights on. So, that's a start.

Not sure what I'll do with this unreliable one aka "Trigger's broom". Probably gently put it to sleep. Or sell it on ebay. I can't justify 2 Defenders and another car! Still, I've enjoyed it and it's got me into the world of Land Rover.

As you say, it's a start .... And you might even get to enjoy making everything work as it should, and getting down and dirty!

friend of mine defender had for 18months never missed a beat
nor has my discovery bobtail tdi engines bomb proof
but i was always told lok after the car tcl w/e and the car will look afetr you

My current 22 year old 110 sw 200tdi used to be owned by a school and used for taking kids on adventure weekends. It came with a pile of bills from a LR independant and on average had about a £1000 spent on it every year !!

What a **** take garage To look at it you would have thought that it had not had a service in 10 years.First time I filled it up the fuel tank was that rotten it ****ed diesel out every where.There was a recent Bill for £600 for a new clutch that I had to do again as they had only changed the plate and the fork was bent and the housing worn!! Took me about 6 months to get it up to my standards. It's my daily work vehicle, family vehicle, it has been back to the U.K a few times, Portugal & a 7k trip tp Morocco & back and has been absolutely fantastic never letting us down once

Currently ploughing through snow and Ice dodging spinning cars on our French roads with the biggest F-off smile you can imagine

Their fine if you keep on top of them, at least if my 200tdi Defender Breaks it's easily fixed

So unreliable I ripped it to pieces and started again

imho they are an enthusiasts wagon, if you want one you either have deep pockets or you are willing to get your hands dirty. An ongoing labour of love. My wife asked me what I would do if I ever 'finish' it, simple sell it and get a 130
I have a '97 300tdi 110 it has never let me down but I have done a fair bit to stop it letting me down, new rear axle, new springs, shocks bushes Ujs all the normal stuff

Mines back in after a new Gear box and clutch at 28k. ecu, rear diff, check straps, paint on seams, now the egr's gone WTF

There making them out of **** and more ****....... really ****ed off.

Until yesterday, my 26 year old 110 has been totally reliable, but then SWMBO drove 15 miles at up to 80 mph with the starter motor still engaged, causing it to burst into flames. (the starter that is, not the Landy) :doh:

LR90 said:

Mines back in after a new Gear box and clutch at 28k. ecu, rear diff, check straps, paint on seams, now the egr's gone WTF

There making them out of **** and more ****....... really ****ed off.

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Get one without unnecessary electrics then

Dave90 said:

Get one without unnecessary electrics then

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been there done that need a little bit more refinement hence I bought this one. Iv had 200s 300s 3 td5s etc etc

LR90 said:

been there done that need a little bit more refinement hence I bought this one. Iv had 200s 300s 3 td5s etc etc

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Fair enough 200tdi's are the definition of 'unrefined' but I still love it

Dave90 said:

Fair enough 200tdi's are the definition of 'unrefined' but I still love it

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hopefully after all this warranty work done itl be ok?!:rofl:

LR90 said:

hopefully after all this warranty work done itl be ok?!:rofl:

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the ' ? ' makes me think your not that confident, fingers crossed for you

I have only owned a 200tdi. It maybe a bit course or rough but I love it. It feels bullet proof and has been so far since 1990.

I have now had my 'D' reg 110 for nearly 4 years, and it has been brilliant. Yes, last january the head gasket blew when I was driving up to North Yorkshire for a weeks hiking, but this might have been the first time this has happened. And yes, when I put the engine back together after having the head skimmed I did it wrong, so when I was driving it the big end went.

Apart from these errors, all breakages have been down to me when off-roading, or just general wear-and-tear, which with a vehicle nearly 30 years old, are perfectly expected.

135000 miles, crossed the Sahara several times, abused, neglected for 18 years until I got hold of it. Changed all the bushes, ball joints, wheel bearings, silencer, alternator, battery, installed an electric rad fan and a snorkel and replaced the rear cross member. I think it will now do another 20 odd years.

Since I bought it over 2 years since its had new props all round new starter new water pump and new alternator. Within last 3 months it's had a quarter chassis fitted at a cost of £750 and now the clutch is dying... 1992 90. It's not been the most reliable by any stretch but it's 20 years old.