Northumbria Water Land Rover Defenders

Hi All - I'm totally new to the forum. My first post

I'm trying to buy a Land Rover Defender on a budget and I've noticed a few ex Northumbria Water Land Rover 110 vans coming to auction near me.

Does anyone have any experience as to how they're maintained? I don't care about cosmetic stuff I just want a robust Landy that's been maintained properly with no serious rust issues.

Mark

I would of thought ex utility LR would be pretty solid and well maintained as our bloody bills are so expenseive. Suspect there may be a few sandwich crumbs between the drivers seat and the cubby box.

They usually have extra lockers, roller shutters, roof racks, external power and even night heaters.

Positive there will be someone along that knows 4 sure.

They are leased so they will of been properly maintained but well worked

Mine wasn't leased, the utility company owned it from New for 10 years. We've leased vans long term (15 - 18 months, 70 - 80k) from Northgate for 10+ years and they cut every corner imaginable. Cheapest tyres, filters, oil only to the bottom of the dipstick, fuel filters NEVER replaced. It's no guarantee it will have been looked after.

Are you able to inspect them before bidding? I came across reference to a news article where some Northumbrian Water Rovers were damaged by vandals/thieves back in Jan.

Don't believe that a company owned / leased vehicle will have been correctly serviced. Recently I was talking to a software company who supply their services to fleet users. Some of their stories of 'repairs' would turn your blood cold.

Fleet vehicles used to be well maintained. Not any more. They are hanging onto them longer than ever before and if they know it will soon be going they often won't fix a fault unless it's like to cause death or injury if ignored. Often a vehicle will sit up for the last couple of months of its lease or life with a company to avoid fixing it.

Thanks. I will tread carefully. The auction is tomorrow and I'll inspect it very well and maybe see how the bidding goes with the professionals.

LandyMarks said:

Thanks. I will tread carefully. The auction is tomorrow and I'll inspect it very well and maybe see how the bidding goes with the professionals.

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Where is the auction, am not wanting to buy one myself, but have a day free

packard said:

Where is the auction, am not wanting to buy one myself, but have a day free

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It's at the Mannheim Auction in Washington Tyne and Wear. I'll just go as a fact finding mission - a few go through there.

It made £4300. It was filthy but fundamentally sound and the engine sounded really nice.