Series 3 Thinking of buying a series 3
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Usual stuff, first check that it really, really is a Series, let alone a Series 3 or even a late 2A ...
Check that in person, with a torch, a 'phone and take pics and check with DVLA for MOT history, regardless of what the 'owner' / seller says ...
A genuine Landy seller won't mind ...
Then you can look for the usual rust everywhere, chassis, bulkhead, footwells, chassis ...
Springs and not coils, the more original it is the better for it's long term value, unless your not bothered and you just want to drive it and nail it back together when it breaks ...
TomR91
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Call me naive, but I didn’t know a fake series was a thing, what’s the reasoning behind that?
Avoiding road tax on later cars
Stolen
Real minefield on any old LR, even when you think you know it all something can surprise you
Always worth taking someone with you whos an anorak, or post some pics on here, trouble with posting is there is always the risk someone might get in there before you!
Only downer in my eyes on the S3 is that plastic dash as they always look fecked to me, not sure if you can but new or repro ones yet?
saxavordian
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To get a fully fledge genuine will command a decent price as this would be well restored and well maintained. Still a few Landrover series sell at Huddersfield Centre I think. You may get luck with the ex-military route PA Blanchard or similar. Lots were converted to 200tdi engines. As they say RUST is the eventually downfall of many and if you do find project it still time and money
steve2286w
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PA Blanchards had dozens of ex military when I was at there yard in May and they need to get rid
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Money
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I thought Blanchard closed?
Their site sayd they will shut forever end of 2023.
Due to the ease of substituting parts, Series LRs are easier than a lot of modern vehicles to fake identities if stolen, or if someone swaps identities to or make the vehicle seem older to avoid road tax etc. Beware on anything without decent identification, V5 with matching details , chassis number plate etc. The vehicle needs to add up in terms of age and features, and you should get as much info on what it should be. Easy options include the DVLA website to show MOT and tax history. Compare V5 to *both* chassis number and number plate. The Netherlands 'CalVIN' site is a good gross error check; e.g. if you are looking at a 109 RHD and it says it is a 88 LHD that would be a red flag; different engines less so but still a basis for negotiating a lower price. Beware of DVLA rules about 'substantial changes' especially involving changes the chassis such as power steering.
steve2286w
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A bit like this one 
Not quite sure if they have pulled it off though
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-Lan...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
Not quite sure if they have pulled it off though
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-Lan...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
Scalleys Dad
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The eBay landie is a shocker. Who on earth is going to fall for that ………….. well somebody will. The workshop that replaced the front of my bulkhead a couple of months ago had a supposed Series 3 sat in the corner with a massive wheel clamp on it and hazard tape wrapped around the doors so they couldn’t be opened. A guy had just spent 6k on it and brought it in to be tweaked a bit. The owner of the workshop condemned it straight away, well as soon as it went on the ramp, as a poorly thought out and executed bodge job that was a serious risk to the owner and other road users. We calculated twenty one MoT failings on it if ‘she’ still had to have one. The only way the numpty is getting it back is when he pays for a recovery vehicle to collect it or he puts up 3k for the welding, bulkhead parts, properly fitted seats and brakes worthy of the name. My point with regards to buying a Series 3 is don’t be blinded by the desire to have one. There are some fabulous examples still out there but just in case be prepared to get a bit dirty and equip yourself to get under the bulkhead front and back with a torch and a stiff brush and lift any flooring in the back or footwell. The engine might purr like a kitten and the paintwork might be shiney but alas once the rust sets in the bills can be enormous. Good luck finding one. Over the last three years, combined, mIne has cost more than I paid for it some 17 years ago but I still feel lucky to be an owner……. Or is that custodian.
Very true. Because the value of a Series 3 varies between £500 for a wreck and £25K+ for a mint nut and bolt rebuild it is relatively easy to tart something up to look better than it is and coin it in. It is far too easy to let the heart rule the head!
