Tips on buying a TD5?

I am looking at getting a TD5 (around x reg) in the next few weeks and would like to know if there is anything to look out foir ie. common faults/issues etc.

Any info that would help avoid a possible lemon would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

I just got rid of my 1999 TD5. First off, loved the car. Was great!

I had es, all the stuff on it which is defo worth going for.

Thinks to look for in my experience:

usual car stuff. Common td5 probs (oil in loom et etc)
check the ace, if it's around x reg, potential for corrosion of pipes. About £1000 to fix, if they go, you can't drive the car! Check under drivers side door at silver block with pipes running in and out of it. Also check actuator on drivers side in the wheel arch.
Check no warning lights on, I had automatic, had hot warning light come on when I was towing. Could just have been a sensor, but never found out! Check the gear box changes up smoothly and goesnt clunk when it goes into gear, can't comment on manual! Check for rust etc! Check bloody sunroofs don't leak!

I got rid of mine as it had a few things that needed doing and could be bothered sorting and paying for it. As much as I loved the car towards the end I was constantly worried about reliability. Swapped it in for a 2002 d90 in the hope it's simpler and less electronics. Not to pit you off mind, they are great!

Thanks for the honest advise!

Just want to get as much info as possible to be able to hopefully find the right car for the money.

Is the ES the best spec model to get?

ES is top spec, so if yer got the cash, go for it!!

check for rust in the chassis and everywhere else
check the wheel bearings if you can (you have to buy the whole hub unit and abs sensor £165each )

make sure the power steering box dont leak


thats all jobs ive just had to do in the last 6 months

Yep if u can afford, I would say get it, of not get GS. I think if your going for a disco you might as well get all the comforts. I do miss my heated leather seats and 11 speakers harmon kardon sound system.

Also as I just sold mine, apparently the auto can be worth about 500-1000 quid more than the equivilant manual. I personally in a disco would have an auto as land rover gearboxes and clutches can be hard to get on with. My auto was much smoother than my old mans 2001 Toyota land cruiser. Both had same mileage on!

Check that the ABS, HDC and TC lights come ON with the ignition then go OFF again. People have been known to take the bulbs out to disguise the three amigos fault. The other big faults on that age TD5 are head gasket/cracked head, and injector loom as mentioned above, but no real way of checking that unless it's very obvious. Look for water marks on luggage space cover, as the alpine lights can leak as well. I would be very inclined to get a warranty on one of these if possible.

Thanks again everyone!

I will try and memorise this lot and hopefully it will at the very least give me some things to look out for.

Advice like this is what makes these forums so excellent!!

Hi Turborat

Unusual nick name , you are not a "black rat" are you ?

Anyway , Just bought my own 1999 TD5 ES Great car well impressed . If it has electric sunroofs the chances are they leak if not you are lucky Just had mine taken out and re-sealed can recomend a good bloke in Surrey who covers from London to south coast !
The chasssi is a problem , I have just had mine waxoyled worth doing , air suspension is a problem , common to replace the airbags with springs which mine has had done thank god.
Brake calipres seize a lot , have just rpelaced ALL four calipres on mine , its easy and quite cheap.

Alan
Ex Black Rat

I think that buy any vehicle over 5 years old can be an absolute minefield, but you can be lucky. If you are not familiar with what you are buying, either take someone who is, or get AA/RAC to give it a look over. Always give it a good road test, 10 miles at least, that way if it has problems they should show up. The last option is to buy from a reputable garage and have a warranty. If you buy from a car sales site (Joe Bloggs Cars sales type) as soon as you get it, take it for a 50 to 60 mile run and work it hard, if it fails get it shipped back to them and demand your money back. Avoid Ebay !! this has a reputation of vehicles being sold that could not be sold from a sales site, as there is NO comeback whatsoever, it's an 'auction' so all bids are final.