Newbie, and first question!

Good afternoon,

Newbie (hopefully) to the world of Defenders - Not by any means new to the LR world, as I have previously ran two Discovery (D2 and D3), two sports (2009 and 2015MY), an Evoque and a full RR...

I am looking at buying a 2010 Defender 90 2.4TDi Hard Top with 75,000 miles on the clock.

This was obviously locally traded into a main 'van' dealer center with the previous owner's knowledge that a lot needed done to it. Failed MOT carried out a few days ago had the following listed:

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Rear reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface (4.8.1 (a) (ii))
• Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))
• Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))
• Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))
• Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))
• Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush Upper bush (5.3.2 (c))
• Offside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush Upper bush (5.3.2 (c))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working High level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Hub seal/axle seal
• Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Small pipe, hose to caliper (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Small pipe, hose to caliper (1.1.11 (c))
• Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))
• Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

The following list of work is being carried out prior to the sale:

SERVICE
MOT
FRONT DISCS AND PADS
REAR DISCS AND PADS
HUB SEAL
4 NEW TYRES
2 X REAR ARCH SUPPORT BRACKETS
FRONT WIPER MOTOR
BRAKE PIPES RENEWED
2 X SHOCK ABSORBERS
NEW CLUTCH AND SLAVE CYLINDER
NEW STUB AXLE
GEARBOX OIL
TRANSFER GEAR OIL
DIFF OIL
FAN BELT
FRONT DIFF SEAL
2 X TIE RODS
4 X UNIVERSAL JOINTS

Seems a very long list to me, is there anything else major I should worry about?

Future use should I decide to buy will be very limited mileage, road, no towing and potential additional work (paintwork, improvements, etc...)

Any advice welcome, while I am not looking for a perfect vehicle, I am just dreading buying a dud!

Welcome to LoonyZone

I shut down after reading that you soiled yourself with the Evoque......

Thank you, will make sure I don't mention it ever again!

Welcome

That just looks like a list of a mechanical very neglected defender.

That is all diy doable how handy are you with the spanner’s.? (Clutch probably hardest) maybe find out if they only did some work that you don’t fancy and see what you could get off the price, worth a shot if it’s rust (ish) free, needs a good look though.

There was no rot mentioned (except 2 arch brackets?) as it’s fairly new I guess, that’s what kills the older 1s

Anyway have fun when you get it

J

Thanks for that feedback. Yes, seems to pretty rust free. One of my mechanic friends is going to call into the garage while it is on the ramp so he can have a good look under it and have a chat with the mechanic working on it. He is not an LR or Defender specialist, so though I would get some extra advice here...

Shortbread said:

One of my mechanic friends is going to call into the garage while it is on the ramp so he can have a good look under it and have a chat with the mechanic working on it. He is not an LR or Defender specialist

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Good call

You don’t need to be a LR mech to spot rust or things that are obviously bodged.

J

marjon said:

Good call

You don’t need to be a LR mech to spot rust or things that are obviously bodged.

Click to expand...

That's true. Hopefully will get some positive feedback - IF this work is done properly (and it should), that should give me a solid base to work from!

Well, so far so good. Mechanic Mate has been to see the green beastie, and it looks like it could be a good one. Fingers crossed.

Going myself Monday, Fingers crossed this is the one!

Good luck

J

Seems pretty standard maintenance needed. Clutch is a nightmare as J says its more work than first glance would have you believe, but doable. Only thing on that list would have me worried is front wiper - if it’s a dash out job or bulkhead problem that would be biggest job. Again doable - ask your Indy pal

Welcome to the Zone

Good luck. It sounds like it has just been a bit neglected. You don't mention the engine. Does it have any service history? What state are the oils in? Is the air filter fairly fresh? It may not have many miles on it, but they are enough to do some serious damage if basic servicing has been missed.

Welcome to the forum