Hi, I'm fairly new to landrovers and I've seen a 1972 swb, diesel LR for sale. It has no current MOT and apparantly needs a bit of tlc. Just wondered what things i should look out for. I've still to go and see it, but will as soon as i get time. Thanks for any comments.
David

chassis and bulkhead rot. and a badly smoking engine just about everything else is cosmetic or easily sorted. Take lots of piccies and post on ere. for a 2nd opinion. don't expect better than 55mph and 20mpg out of it.

Make sure it is a 72 and not a newer landy that's had the plates off another landy stuck on it to make it tax exempt.

Make sure the chassis is solid. Don't be afraid to give it a good poke. There are some dodgy people out there. It's amazing what fresh waxoil covers up. Find out what needs doing for the mot as even little jobs can end up getting expensive.

Rust is the usual landy killer - check the chassis thoroughly from underneath and make sure the bulkhead is solid. Chassis and bulkhead sections are available as replacements if you're handy with a welder. Then it's just wear and tear. The engine shouldn't smoke unduly when hot and should start easily even in this cold weather. The gearbox should change into all five gears without too much clonking and run without too much noise - these boxes do produce noise and the gearchange isn't as smooth as a modern vehicle.
Make sure the hi/low and 4wd is working (see the "what do all the levers do" thread).
Look for play in the propshafts and diffs and the steering - an inch of play at the steering wheel circumference isn't unusual.
Check the electrics - older landy's have often been bodged horribly.
Look for pitted swivels that leak badly.
Look for leaks generally - landy's seem to weep oil from everywhere - and familiarise yourself with smell of ep90, 20/50/, diesel and brake fluid so you can tell what's leaking.
Just about everything is fixable and most parts are cheap and available. You will need a parts list and manual (downloadable on this site somewhere) and a good set of tools.
Oh, and a note from your psychiatrist certifying that you are mad enough to buy it......

Thanks. I will certainly check it out. The bulkhead will need to be repaired in the future so I've been told. The chassis has also had some repairs. I'm going to see if the seller will get it MOT'd at a small extra cost. I think if its not running and MOT'd its not worth a great deal. Cheers
David

Its hard to price up a landy without seeing it, if its a series 3 without t&t then your looking about 500 notes, maybe another hundred or two if its tax exempt.