How reliable/unreliable has your defender been?

It's 90 200 tdi with 213,000 miles on the clock. What hasnt gone wrong with it, i've practically re biult the damn thing. But hey, it's been fun along the way.

I aint saying nuffink. I know all about Murpheys law.

had my '87 90 for the last 2 years, between 110 and 125k at present. It's been really reliable. I did have to swap the alternator at one point, and change a couple of bushes, and oh yeah, the 2.5NA is a heavy breather, and there's been numerous oil leaks etc etc etc. It's never ever failed me though!

I've got an old Ferrari and the fuel tank sprung a leak. The bill for repair came to £10,250.

Lend us a fiver!

I would...but I'm broke after that.

I've had alot replaced, but it was all wear and tear. I had a phase of mud-plugging/leisure off-roading, and that really pushed the vehicle. So whilst the list is long and expensive (some of it not required but I was new and naive to Landies) the result it that it should be more reliable than ever in a number of places.

I haven't had my 2000 reg 110 TD5 very long and I have been spending a lot on it to tidy her up (I got her cheap) so I don't mind paying out a bit extra. I have had a bit of a problem with her cutting out on me (which I suspect is why I got her so cheap,) but I think I might have that solved now too. Any money I have spent on her so far has mainly been for cosmetics rather than repairs, but I love her to bits and have never regretted buying her, even though I've had to be towed home three times so far.

Go on get yourself one and love it for what it is.

Ron.

I got my R reg Defender in June and Drove her (Lola and she's now known ) all the way from Dover to Yorkshire with no trouble (it's only done 61K), i spent about 6 months looking at loads before i found one that ticked all the boxes....but i had to travel to get it !
I am lucky that my other half is a panel beater/painter/mechanic and keeps on top of things for me though (oil/leaks/door seals ect ect) but I knew what i was letting myself in for when i bought one, my Dad had a Series 3 and we also own a lot of (proper) Minis.

So far she's pulled trailers, horse boxes and driven me 9 miles to work and back every day with no bother. I do love my Landy !!

Bought my 90 in June for 2 grand and spent about 3 grand on it but that is mainly accessories. Essentials have been a new rad, rear diff, front prop and rear 1/4 chassis plus a few other chassis welds. Just went through it's MOT with a handful of trivial advisories. Well pleased with that. For an 18yr old she's been better than expected.

Reliably unreliable.

Had my 1990 90td[now 200tdi] for 18 years,only had one compleat breakdown the mainshaft broke but it did so outside my back door[jammy eh]Sometimes limped home,once with no clutch starting in gear and timeing engine and road speed to change gear.Also loss of lift pump led to no power,made it back using lowbox.KEEP UP serviceing and repairs and your landy will be relable.

As long as you look after a defender when it needs it, it will look after you when you need it

This is a great read for a newbie, thanks... Any info on dependability of the current 2.4 versus the previous 2.5 diesel motors, and preference between them if one were to choose a recent used Defender?

Good question Wekke, that might be interesting but as the 2.4 (Duratorq) is very new, it might be some time before any 'trend' shows itself...

Love it love it love it..............

The most fun vehicle I have ever owned.
I drive it almost daily, rain or shine.

Mine's 20 years old. I've done 30K miles in it and other than lots of work for MOTs, the only thing that has actually gone wrong while i've been driving was a wheel bearing.

Exspensive if you wanna pay a dealer or indy garage but if you are prepared to have a go and get your hands messy then there is bags of room to work....nowt to complicted to fix and you will probs get to enjoy faffing with it. Just make sure its got a good 200tdi or newer and **** the chasis with a hammer all over. before you buy...every thing else is just bolted on!
Big hammer and some spanners and your away!

Mine has done two Camel trophy's it's a 92 200 tdi on it's third owner with 208k on it i look after it cos i love it and get emense plesure driveing it.PROBLEMS?? well water leaks in, some classic landy oil leaks, and the usuall needs/preventative little jobs a19 year old car needs. Option: you can buy a Land C****r you know one of those snake eyed plastic buckets end get boored to tears with it...

My 1990 110 2.5N/A was doing around 700 miles a week before I retired, and now does a lot less.

After tweaking her bits, she would cruise along the motorway at a steady 80 on the clock, and returns 30+mpg.

I now need to change the front axle oil seal, but it's cold outside so she will have to wait a bit. The drivers side door frame needs replacing, and I've got the gear to do it ... apart from the fact that someone borrowed my welding gear and hasn't returned it!

She starts up first time every time and the climate control works well.

OSD