Freelander 1 Should I buy?

lewy97 · Jun 24, 2024

Hello,

I'm a total newbie to the forum and Land Rovers...

I've got the chance to buy a Landrover Freelander TD4 2006 HSE for £1200

Only got 87k on the clock, however the MOT failure came back today with the following attached...

Would you still buy it?
Thanks

Arctic2 · Jun 24, 2024

Walk away you are looking at least £1000 minimum to sort out that MOT so it is clear, with no advisories.

saxavordian · Jun 25, 2024

If you have deep pockets and have a time to work on the vehicle yourself. Props missing should concern you as they fail for various reasons which adds cost. Better to look around for well maintained and fully working VCU and props. Head should rule the heart here.

WhiskyLassie · Jun 25, 2024

No you shouldn't.

andyfreelandy · Jun 25, 2024

As above. Corrosion sounds bad and welding required. Both subframes is a load of work.
Putting the 4 wd back together is upwards of £500 alone.

Low mileage yes so engine probably good. If you want a project haggle it down to half the asking price then spend 1k and you'll have a decent vehicle if you can do all the work yourself. Take it to a garage and that 1k becomes 2k very quickly !!

thefrog · Jun 25, 2024

Don't buy it ! You can find a better one.

In France, Prop shaft missing is a fail, as it modifies the vehicle original specifications.
I didn't know you could get away with it in other countries.

andyfreelandy · Jun 25, 2024

MOT testers like the prop missing here. Means they can use the rolling road brake tester without breaking the 4wd !!!

Arctic2 · Jun 25, 2024

andyfreelandy said:
MOT testers like the prop missing here. Means they can use the rolling road brake tester without breaking the 4wd !!!

Hi Andy i was asked this question the other day, can the AWD both FL1&FL2 be brake tested using the rolling road, and does it have to be four wheel roller or two wheel roller ?

andyfreelandy · Jun 25, 2024

FL 1 my tester puts the floor mount measuring device in and road tests.

If ALL wheels slow and stop exactly together then that emulates a road I guess !!

Two roller will bust summat!!

My MOTer says my Freelanders are the only ones he gets where the handbrake actually works and sticks his nose to the windscreen !!

lewy97 · Jun 25, 2024

Thanks for comments everyone.

The seller has agreed to fix all of the major defects.

Is it still worth taking and doing the prop shaft at a later date?

ER1C · Jun 25, 2024

lewy97 said:
Thanks for comments everyone.

The seller has agreed to fix all of the major defects.

Is it still worth taking and doing the prop shaft at a later date?

NO................

ER1C · Jun 25, 2024

The seller will do as little as possible to get it through the MOT...

thefrog · Jun 25, 2024

And only when you add the prop shaft, will you know if the IRD and/or rear diff is ruined

pwood999 · Jun 25, 2024

At 87k miles, that much corrosion sounds like it's been parked in the sea. Definitely not been maintained either.

shaynecm · Jun 25, 2024

is there much of it left to buy?

pwood999 · Jun 25, 2024

Also depends where you are, and what spec you want. The TD4 is generally good for much higher mileage, so my opinion is you should look for one with fully working drivetrain & less corrosion.

Like any car, a decent service & maintainence history matters . . . .. including receipts not just stamps. Avoid coastal towns !!

J_D · Jun 25, 2024

Arctic2 said:
Hi Andy i was asked this question the other day, can the AWD both FL1&FL2 be brake tested using the rolling road, and does it have to be four wheel roller or two wheel roller ?

I understand for the 2 rollers, they rotate in different directions. That should mean there is no movement in the prop/vcu. A bit like if you spin one wheel the other side spins in the opposite direction and the prop doesnt move. I may be wrong!!

pwood999 · Jun 25, 2024

But the two rollers on same axle will wind up the VCU. Tapely meter is the correct method.

Freddie17 · Jun 26, 2024

lewy97 said:
Thanks for comments everyone.

The seller has agreed to fix all of the major defects.

Is it still worth taking and doing the prop shaft at a later date?

As everyone else advises… NO!
They won’t fix them - the cost would be around the asking price if done anywhere near correctly.
And then still the prop/IRD/VCU potential issues.

Get a well looked-after one, with lots of evidence of ongoing work etc., and 4wd working correctly, for around £2k and change. Don’t worry about the miles on a TD4 that has been cared for.

To give an idea, I have every receipt for parts/fluids, and have fully documented every job or service I’ve done on mine since I’ve had it.

BUT don’t be put off a LR - the FL1 is great fun and a brilliant entry point into LR ownership. And a looked-after fully functional one is a very capable machine

Just find a good one.
Or buy mine when I sell it !

Freddie17 · Jun 26, 2024

Arctic2 said:
Hi Andy i was asked this question the other day, can the AWD both FL1&FL2 be brake tested using the rolling road, and does it have to be four wheel roller or two wheel roller ?

Freelander 1 Should I buy?

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