Used Land Rover Defender world... lies, lies and more lies....

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
P

Potential Defender 90 Owner

New Member
Posts
37
Ive posted a few threads of late whilst looking to explore issues related to buying a used defender... Ive asked about suspicious milage, Ive asked about the impacts of towing, security and general enquiries regarding tips and advice on buying for the first time....

I have decided that my experience over the last 3 months will have to be made into a useful thread for those who are looking to purchase a defender subsequently to me... fortunately my money is still in my pocket and I have learned a great deal.

In the completed thread which I will post when I have eventually collated all the statistics I am pretty sure it will be a real eye opener... I dont believe any other car brand/model will come close when you compare all the facts.

My ultimate goal will be to highlight the dangers of buying a used defender! How to ensure the vehicle is the vehicle you think it is. How to confirm everything is above board with the paper trail and to highlight how the countless sellers are looking to rip off the unsuspected punter.

Just a taster of what I will highlight... of 1640 defender currently for sale this week 05/07/2011 at less than £10k dating back from registration 1985 to 2007 do you seriously believe that over 70% are less than 100.000 miles ?? of all the cars dated from 1990 to 1998 over 62% have less than 100.000 miles... of the 40 calls I made today asking for confirmation of the paper trail only 1 confirmed all paperwork available to fully trace the vehicle from registration.

I also sat and read the stolen defender posts from a few forums, makes for some serious reading once you follow the links and see who then re posts with links to very dodgy vehicles for sale.

I hope my future post with my finding will make for intersting reading when I upload/collate all the info. Watch out for the many many many sellers looking to take your cash.

You can buy a used defender, you can also confirm it is a genuine defender with all the correct parts, with correct milage, full service history and in very good condition... you just got to be patient, keep learning and wait !!!


:rolly:
 
Last edited:
Not too sure if you have realised, but it seems you are the only one arsed about mileage and stuff on defenders. I think most of us go and have a good look round it at the chassis and bulkhead ect.. And check the engine doesn't sound ****ed, and doesn't smoke like a bugger! And to be honest, I don't think many people have many problems!

I'm sure all of your poking arround will be of use to some people and it will be in interesting read!



P's, just get out and buy one!!
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't be suprised at that milage statement personally - many Defenders, especially older ones are likely to have been used on a farm or similar, where they don't need to travel very far, just from field to field in any weather. Hence the low milage? I may be very wrong on this, but it's my guess.

No sane person who does a lot of miles would do them in a Defender, just us lunatics on here!
 
When i bought mine i thought thats tidyish close by that will do!
Looked at the chassis saw a few holes on the rear crossmember, noticed the screwdriver marks so someone else had been looking as well.
Checked chassis number was pukka and bought it, no paper trail, couple of receipts.
Welding now all done cost me a tenner for the steel and used works mig.
I think you need a nissan micra:rolleyes:


Lynall
 
DiscoPol said:
Is the OP really somebody who should be driving a trattor? maybe a nice new shiny slitty but a trattor, i dont think so.
Click to expand...

Not at all... If you are doubting your own judgment that much then don't bother. Paperwork and history is **** easy to forge but it's hard to hide a ****ed chassis!
 
OP

You will come to realise that Defenders are owned by a wide variety of folk, some as bent as a cork screw, others thicker than pig ****.

There are however good sellers and owners out there but sadly Forums such as this one seem to attract far more of the former.

Expect nothing but abuse from them.
 
crowmann said:
OP

You will come to realise that Defenders are owned by a wide variety of folk, some as bent as a cork screw, others thicker than pig ****.

There are however good sellers and owners out there but sadly Forums such as this one seem to attract far more of the former.

Expect nothing but abuse from them.
Click to expand...

and you will not be disapointed :D.

If, however you are of a delicate disposition, then LRO might be a more comfy environment :eek:.
 
OP - you sound like you really should not buy a defender, who gives a toss - seriously!!! You totally dont get the point if you have to analyse every last screw to make sure its pukka. Its made to be abused, shat upon and then put back together with an adjustable spanner and a few odd bolts from the bottom of the tool box, thats the whole point.

Seriously, you should look elsewhere cause you wont enjoy owning one of these fine vehicles!
 
COA said:
OP - you sound like you really should not buy a defender, who gives a toss - seriously!!! You totally dont get the point if you have to analyse every last screw to make sure its pukka. Its made to be abused, shat upon and then put back together with an adjustable spanner and a few odd bolts from the bottom of the tool box, thats the whole point.

Seriously, you should look elsewhere cause you wont enjoy owning one of these fine vehicles!
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more think you should get a discovery if you want spotless and paper trail.
 
I do around 500 miles a year on my defender..... how about that?

not everyone does stupid mileage or uses them everyday, and as mentioned above, some have always been in farms
 
If you buy an old defender then chances are it isnt going to be original. The small cases where they are will usually be sold by dealers for hugely inflated prices that you will never see a return on if you sell.

Defenders are just big meccano kits. ie bolt on and bolt off for 99% of the parts and mileage tends to be irrelevant too.

My 1988 110 has covered 162,000mls but the engine has covered a hell of a lot less (200tdi defender transplant about 6yrs ago). New outriggers, x-member, clutch, bulkhead repair and 88" van sides to remove the rear windows so not a lot of originallity left. Oh and a replacement rear door to go on when i can be arsed.

Is it bent or dodgy - NO
Is it reliable - starts fine with no wierd bangs or clunks.

You need to ask yourself with all the worry you have even considering buying one could your ticker cope with ownership and the bangs/clunks/repairs that go with it?

If the answer is no then get a land cruiser. If the answer is yes get a fender and stop worrying so much :)
 
how can someone who dont own a fender do a fender buying guide?
And there are useful guides on here dare i say it:search!
 
goonarmy said:
how can someone who dont own a fender do a fender buying guide?
And there are useful guides on here dare i say it:search!
Click to expand...

The chap maybe very smart in his thoughts but it seems that he has no common sense.

The information that he compiles will be very flawed.as it is limited to the person doing the research, with limited facts and only his own ideas.
This will be a one sided biased guide/report with no merit.
 
This guy sounds very much like an old mate of mine who was desperate to find an un-abused Fiesta XR2I. He wanted it totally standard with very low mileage and had to be totally unmarked in every way. After over a year of travelling all around UK looking at the bloody things I gave up helping him because he turned down some real nice motors because he was to fussy. He ended up after about 2 years buying an absolute mint one which was unmarked, standard and had stupid low mileage on it (he could of probably bought a bloody ferrari with the amount he spent on fuel looking for one).

Let me just say that Car turned out to be the biggest pile of **** known to man and pretty much everything that could go wrong did.

Just becuase a car (or landrover in this case) has very low mileage and may have had an easy life dont mean it will be any good. Really does not sound like a Defender is the right choice for you mate.
 
Potential Defender 90 Owner said:
Ive posted a few threads of late whilst looking to explore issues related to buying a used defender... Ive asked about suspicious milage, Ive asked about the impacts of towing, security and general enquiries regarding tips and advice on buying for the first time....

I have decided that my experience over the last 3 months will have to be made into a useful thread for those who are looking to purchase a defender subsequently to me... fortunately my money is still in my pocket and I have learned a great deal.

In the completed thread which I will post when I have eventually collated all the statistics I am pretty sure it will be a real eye opener... I dont believe any other car brand/model will come close when you compare all the facts.

My ultimate goal will be to highlight the dangers of buying a used defender! How to ensure the vehicle is the vehicle you think it is. How to confirm everything is above board with the paper trail and to highlight how the countless sellers are looking to rip off the unsuspected punter.

Just a taster of what I will highlight... of 1640 defender currently for sale this week 05/07/2011 at less than £10k dating back from registration 1985 to 2007 do you seriously believe that over 70% are less than 100.000 miles ?? of all the cars dated from 1990 to 1998 over 62% have less than 100.000 miles... of the 40 calls I made today asking for confirmation of the paper trail only 1 confirmed all paperwork available to fully trace the vehicle from registration.

I also sat and read the stolen defender posts from a few forums, makes for some serious reading once you follow the links and see who then re posts with links to very dodgy vehicles for sale.

I hope my future post with my finding will make for intersting reading when I upload/collate all the info. Watch out for the many many many sellers looking to take your cash.

You can buy a used defender, you can also confirm it is a genuine defender with all the correct parts, with correct milage, full service history and in very good condition... you just got to be patient, keep learning and wait !!!


:rolly:
Click to expand...

...
...
...
...
...Fooking Yawn :rolleyes:

G
 
I don't see what the issue is?

It took me all of 3 months to find an un-abused, genuine mileage, unmolested 90CSW in the colour I wanted. Okay, it cost a little more than others and I had to spend a fair bit to fix the few issues you find with a 14 year old motor. But other than that it was mint (for a 14 year old motor).

If you're looking for an example in concourse condition of course, forget it.

(I only looked at 6 of them)
 
Last edited:
mick miller said:
I don't see what the issue is?

It took me all of 3 months to find an un-abused, genuine mileage, unmolested 90CSW in the colour I wanted. Okay, it cost a little more than others and I had to spend a fair bit to fix the few issues you find with a 14 year old motor. But other than that it was mint (for a 14 year old motor).

If you're looking for an example in concourse condition of course, forget it.

(I only looked at 6 of them)
Click to expand...

so you had to spend a fair bit fixing an already overpriced and in your words mint :rolleyes: example of a 14 year old motor.

Would you not have been better buying a used model and spending time and money getting it exactly how you want it :doh:

Why oh why cant i find people like this when im selling something
 
I spent months and months hunting and finally found an original unmolested 90 with all history and logged mileage.

they do exist but also do people wanting a fast buck....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lightning
Smaller new Defender on the way.
Replies
3
Views
371
lightning
lightning
G
Dog guard for Defender 90.
Replies
8
Views
414
Anaconda
A
S
Defender refurbishers?
Replies
1
Views
356
bankz5152
bankz5152
L
110 hicap - GVM/Payload
Replies
3
Views
347
Hicap phill
H
K14
New defender axle and suspension
4 5 6
Replies
111
Views
7K
tottot
tottot
Back
Top