Should I get an Ex MOD Defender

Hi new to the forum
I'm after a solid defender which I can run but also work on
I've been looking at companies such as Withams and was wondering if anyone has experience with them. They have defenders from £3000 plus VAT, has anyone been to Withams and seen these would they need much work to pass MOT?
Are they generally well maintained if ex military?
Thank you in advance for replies, Mark

Squaddies are renowned for their careful and respectful driving..........no wait...

There will probably be a few left in Iraq as it's cheaper to write them off then bring them back!

Seriously, the condition will depend on who used it - make sure that you look further than just the paint.

I have a mate that was in the army and he did say that they drove them really hard because they new they would get fixed when they broke. As the others say make sure you go over it with a fine tooth comb, on the other side there were a lot that didn't get much use so you could find a brilliant one

I have an ex MOD 90 from Withams. It was in great mechanical condition but not the prettiest thing on earth. Yes they get hammered in service, but they also get maintained at no expense spared as well. Mine was totally sound mechanically. I drove it home on trade plates and MOTd it the next day with no advisories.

I think they make a great purchase. I will also add that I have has over a dozen ex MOD vehicles from Withams. They will let you crawl all over anything you are interested in totally unsupervised. Make sure you know what you are looking for a check carefully as hey are sold as seen. But if you inspect properly you will get a good vehicle at a reasonable price.

The other thing to remember is if you buy ex MOD it can go on military specialist insurance. I pay £78 fully comp any driver for mine!!

There are some out there that have never been used or been reengined and not used some good vehicles and then there are some rubbish only suitable for rebuilding or parts.Get a good one you wont regret it.

Withams offer a great service if you're looking for an ex mod. I bought one this summer. The defender is solid. No rot whatsoever. As an ex squaddie myself I know exactly how hard they are driven but also how well they are serviced. If you want a project one then keep your eye on their auctions. The lower end get auctioned off. Some as little as £800.

At the moment a solid roadworthy defender will probably start you at about £2500 there. I paid £2850 plus vat for my one earlier this year. Its a 94 110 with 70,000 km on the clock. Transmission etc are sound. The paint was really bad when I bought it. Several layers of nato paint. I gave it a quick rub down and painted with a roller and now it looks fine. Budget for a tdi conversion too if you are planning on keeping it and want mrore power.

My thread here - http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/goodbye-90-hello-110-project-164878.html

What are those tyres?

As with any vehicle, do your homework and buy the right one and it will serve you well for many years whereas if you get the wrong one it will be an unreliable moneypit.

I have bought lots of ex-MOD vehicles over years (back in the days when you could buy direct) and all have been great, the 90 I still drive every day was my last purchase and I made sure I checked through several 'identical' vehicles before I made my final choice.
My 90 came fitted with many new parts and while the bodywork was a bit tatty (didn't matter as that was all being replaced) the suspension was all new, the engine was a recent recon unit and several items such as heater, brake master cylinder & servo etc had just been replaced with brand-new parts (nice & shiney plus had LR Genuine Parts stickers on them). In addition I couldn't convince myself that the chassis wan't brand new as it looked in perfect condition with just the standard factory paint (luckily the MOD stopped undersealing with the demise of the Series fleet) yet when I later removed the bodywork it struck me that it hadn't been removed before so perhaps it was the original chassis and it was just a well looked after vehicle with a tatty body?

Airways said:

What are those tyres?

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Who knows? But it says BFGoodrich M/T on the sides..................could be a clue....:5btoetap05:

blue beasty said:

Who knows? But it says BFGoodrich M/T on the sides..................could be a clue....:5btoetap05:

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:doh:

Thanks guys for the replies so far. What are the main faults / problems to look for?

NewbieMark said:

Thanks guys for the replies so far. What are the main faults / problems to look for?

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You won't get much response on here I'm afraid. You should check the FAQ section and use the search feature. It's a subject that gets covered regularly. Good luck.

NewbieMark said:

Thanks guys for the replies so far. What are the main faults / problems to look for?

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If you pm me an email address, I'll send you a Word doc (too big to post on here) which will help you

Hi There,

I bought a 90 from Withams two weeks ago. I was going to get a Willy's but suddenly changed to a Landy due to the fact it has doors and far more practical as I live in the country. I didn't view it and have no experience of Land Rovers so a big risk. It was delivered to my local 4x4 specialist where I asked them to service it and put in a new battery and apart from new rear wheel cylinders, a touch of welding on the rear cross member it sailed through it's MOT. I put all the docs in to the DVLA last Thursday and picked it up Monday. It drives well and the garage said it's a pretty solid vehicle (although could do with waxoly and some new paint).

In hindsight I should have viewed but took a risk as this is going to be project (basically mini restoration back to original with a few Wolf extras) and I'm very pleased. It runs well, is dry. Granted it's had a few bog repairs to the bulk head and the foot wells but for £2450 (ex VAT) everyone who seen it thinks I've got a vehicle that should last years.

Just take in to account the extras on top...with collection / service etc I quickly spent another £1000...then you have to tax and insure.

Charlie

CharlieMod said:

Hi There,

I bought a 90 from Withams two weeks ago. I was going to get a Willy's but suddenly changed to a Landy due to the fact it has doors and far more practical as I live in the country. I didn't view it and have no experience of Land Rovers so a big risk. It was delivered to my local 4x4 specialist where I asked them to service it and put in a new battery and apart from new rear wheel cylinders, a touch of welding on the rear cross member it sailed through it's MOT. I put all the docs in to the DVLA last Thursday and picked it up Monday. It drives well and the garage said it's a pretty solid vehicle (although could do with waxoly and some new paint).

In hindsight I should have viewed but took a risk as this is going to be project (basically mini restoration back to original with a few Wolf extras) and I'm very pleased. It runs well, is dry. Granted it's had a few bog repairs to the bulk head and the foot wells but for £2450 (ex VAT) everyone who seen it thinks I've got a vehicle that should last years.

Just take in to account the extras on top...with collection / service etc I quickly spent another £1000...then you have to tax and insure.

Charlie

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Doesnt sound like you got that much of a good deal. Welding and bodge repairs to bulkhead and footwells for £2450 plus VAT? For that money I saw plenty there when i visited that need no welding and have no bodge repairs. I guess I could have just been lucky though..... the stock there changes fast.

That's the thing with buying unseen. I always go in person as I do everything myself and go Orr them with a fine tooth Combe and then haggle. I paid £2500 plus VAT for a 94 that needed no work at all and cost me £300 toputonthe road, tax, tested and insured!!

You can get a great deal if you go person and know what you are buying.