North west defender

Hello,
I'm new to the forum so hopefully this is an appropriate area to post my query.
I've seen a Defender I'm interested in first sale at North West Defenders. I live around 150 miles away from there so it's a fair trek.
Can I get people's opinions of North West Defenders? Are grey a good company, trusted and honest?
I did send them an email but had no reply which has somewhat got me on guard.
Any views positive or negative appreciated.

I think you might get zero opinions on this subject because people are wary about stating negatives in public but I've just Googled North West Defenders and there is a fair amount to read which you might find helpful - some good, some bad. I have no experience of them but I would advise that you find someone who is knowledgeable on Defenders, even if you have to pay them, and go together. Also please avoid like the plague a certain person who advertises on *bay, based in Bolton - that individual I do have knowledge of.

ianc2051 said:

I think you might get zero opinions on this subject because people are wary about stating negatives in public but I've just Googled North West Defenders and there is a fair amount to read which you might find helpful - some good, some bad. I have no experience of them but I would advise that you find someone who is knowledgeable on Defenders, even if you have to pay them, and go together. .

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+1 Good advice, never heard of them they are hundreds of miles away, but approach any second hand car operation with caution unless you have personal experience.

Thanks for the replies.
I did Google and like you say found good and bad but most was a couple of years old. Distance to travel does concern me with no knowledge of the company with added cost of £10k for the defender. Natural born pessimist is my problem.

Call them up and have a chat. See what impression you get. Be honest and see what you get.
Of course, you wouldn't expect them to admit to any faults for that money, but it should have full service history etc.
If you search on here there's a buyer's guide somewhere, but you really want to know what you're looking at and be able to ask the right questions.

Sound advice. My initial thoughts are that it might not be all its cracked up to be. Couple of queries raised by email with no reply. Guess phoning is the way forward, a bit of good old fashioned communication.

VGB said:

Sound advice. My initial thoughts are that it might not be all its cracked up to be. Couple of queries raised by email with no reply. Guess phoning is the way forward, a bit of good old fashioned communication.

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Or try looking around for something a bit more local. Still a few get sold privately in local papers/ ebay etc.
That way you can look at them without being under pressure to buy having spent a lot of money and time going to look.

If they can't reply to your emails they don't want your money anyway.
With ten grand to spend you'll have no trouble finding one.

Look for threads on here about what to look for, there are loads of them. Then start looking at as many as possible, checking out the problem areas. Look at ones you want afford, that way you'll see good and bad examples and maybe learn to spot cover ups. And has been said DEFO take someone with you who knows what they are looking at. Good luck

Vinlander said:

If they can't reply to your emails they don't want your money anyway.
With ten grand to spend you'll have no trouble finding one.

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Yes this is something I thought. If can't reply to an email about a purchase what service would I get if I had a problem with a purchase.

Al2O3 said:

Look for threads on here about what to look for, there are loads of them. Then start looking at as many as possible, checking out the problem areas. Look at ones you want afford, that way you'll see good and bad examples and maybe learn to spot cover ups. And has been said DEFO take someone with you who knows what they are looking at. Good luck

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Yes I have been looking. Prices do seem to be on the up. Or there are ones which look like money pits but are still being marketed at decent money.

VGB said:

Yes this is something I thought. If can't reply to an email about a purchase what service would I get if I had a problem with a purchase.

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Wouldn't expect too much of that from a used car dealer anyway.

True enough. Although there is always hope, did get a car from one who was very good with aftercare. But certainly the exception to the rule from my experience.

What Defender are you looking for ?

I'm looking for a 110 300tdi station wagon. I'd love a galvanised chassis and reasonable mileage. That said if the price was good then I'd get the chassis changed. The idea it's something to keep for a long time.

Just don't rush in - HPI check and 3rd party engineer who knows the vehicle inside and out otherwise you could be throwing money away. Best of luck.

Yes you're right , I need to be pragmatic about it and take my time to find the right one.

Car dealers often don't reply to emails as they get hundreds, often asking lists of questions.
When l get emails asking about repairs l send a reply asking them to call me. As most people don't reveal their phone number/location/details. Such as "can you repair my LG TV"

Um, yes probably...what's wrong with it? Where do you live? (over 10 miles away probably too far to call out) What screen size? (Small TV sets often not economical to repair)

I have been to NW Defenders and they have a lot of ex farm stock which means interior like a rat's nest.
For £10,000 you get a new chassis but 1,000 other jobs still to do.
For £12,000 things seem to get better with a lot more bits changed.

Thanks for the reply Lightning. Good to hear from someone that's been there.

I am late to this but when I bought mine there was the infamous Ryan Stott working for them. Google his name. I wish I knew about him before buying one from them.