How reliable/unreliable has your defender been?

2.5na doing 80mph comfortably? I've done 75 in mine, and it was absolutely roaring!

it's been very reliable though. I've had to replace the alternator at about 115k, and a few other things, like a bit of welding, and prop-shaft UJs, re-wiring lights, replacing injector washers, replacing seals. For a 25 year old vehicle, I don't grumble about that sort of thing

I don't recall that I said that I was comfortable! She objected to doing anything over 85 and definately didn't like 90 - even downhill, as she would then decide to add her own contribution to the steering which didn't always fully coincide with where she was pointed by the steering wheel!

Love her to bits though!

OSD

Had my 27 year old 90 for 6 months. Drive it everyday. Did 370 mile round trip ok. Economy...hmmm but keep fluids looked after. Seal electrical connections from elements n go forever.

No t perfect but it hasnt let me down in 8 months
But if it needs anything i attend to it so it doesnt get the chance to let me down!



Lynall

I've had my 110 6 years now. Only time it's let me down was due to a dodgy seal on a fuel filter. Yes it's had a fortune thrown at it. But she's always got me home

Had my 90 2.5na for 4 or 5 months now, in that time its needed a new spade clip on the alternator and new teeth on the fly wheel, thou that also lead to new oil seal and clutch and as the clutch was covered in oil, Thou they stem clean my engine for free

Its so clean! I did not even know it was red! before they cleaned it, the whole thing was just black with oil.

Thou the spanner said it needs a new fuel oil seal, and new seal at the top of the engine.

Do you call your mechanic "the spanner"? I'm sure he loves you too

Iv had a 200 then three Td5s all Supurb! AND THEN! yes a bought a puma a dear god in a month is been crap! allll sorts goin wrong Box, diff, leaking transfer box, doors etc etc !

Bought 94 300tdi in 2006 took 6 months to pick from the ebay "specials" and it is excelent.

allways starts before finish turning the key. yes like others bit have been replaced prop shafts alternator timing belt, diffs but thats the price for jacking it up and a bit of off roading.

cambolt said:

I'm just verifying a few things before I set out to buy one...
I know it's pretty hit and miss with landies, everyone says the freelanders are the worse things ever in terms of reliability, but my dad had one for 6 years and the only problem he ever had was a blown head gasket (once). Like, I said I just want a general figure before I go and buy one, I don't mind a bit of work but I don't want to be doing that on the roadside...
Thanks for your help

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In the 14 months I've had it I have done a lot of work on it but it has never actually broken down, unless you want to count the morning it wouldn't start 'cos the battery had failed (without warning), and thats not really the Landrovers fault.

We bought two 110s within 6 months ! ones a 98 300tdi the others a 2000 td5 both have been reliable ! no big problems . but i do keep an eye on things that are prone to failiure . also if i happen to have any money spare i buy new parts just in case.......

Just got back from a 1700 mile round trip to les coches in the French alps in my 1996 110 CSW, used the car every day in temps down to -22c and worked every time.

I inherited mine. Unfortunately my friend passed away two years ago. ( Cancer) He owned the Defender for 18 years and was proud to say that other than having the cam belt changed it had never been to the garage or even been washed. He would spend the winter months in Morocco in it and use it as his run about during the summer.
When I took it over it did need some work doing. I replaced all the bushes with Poly type. replaced all the ball joints and wheel bearings Shocks all round, New rear cross member Silencer, Battery and I have recently changed the front axle for a Salisbury one as the original was bent. I also put an electric fan on it and removed the Viscos one as it took too long to warm up in the cold weather. I use it as a general run about and go off roading and green laining in it. I have got it sorted mechanically as I will be doing a trip to Morocco in it later in the year. I did a 2000 mile round trip in it last summer without a hint of a problem. May seem like a lot of work has been done but it has had a hard life and is now ready to go round again. Parts are very inexpensive and most jobs you can do yourself. Oh I have to replace the footwells which I will do as soon as the weather warms up a bit. I bought some from Paddocks which are sat in my garage. £40 for the pair. The Turbo blew on my Renault Senic just before Christmas. I think I have spent more repairing the Renault's Turbo than everything that has been done on the Defender. I'm sure the Defender which is 22 years old will out last the Renault.
To my mind Defenders are reliable when looked after properly, Cheap to repair when they do go wrong and nothing puts such a smile on your face than driving a Defender.

Had mine a year now, and bearing in mind its 27yrs old its been good, nothing replaced or broken since last MOT, mind you saying that its due again the end of the month so I've proberly just shot myself in the foot

I have read this post right the way through, and it is obvious that the old addage,a stitch in time saves nine.
It also depends on what you want to do with it, if it spends every weekend at a pay and play,or green laning,or pulling it's guts out, then it's sure it's going to need a bit extra TLC,mine is nice and warm in the garage,and wont come out till all that nasty salt has gone, it's never seen salt in it's life,and as long as it's mine it won't.
My Discovery on the other hand has a harder life,and this has a lot more money spent on it,I don't think it is any less reliable,it just don't live such a pampered life as my 110.
My whole driving life I have had one ear tuned into the car, when I hear an unfamiliar noise I investigate,and remedy as soon as possible, rather than wait for the engine to fall out.

In my first year as a Land Rover owner. 1985 90 with tdi engine, done about 10k miles in that year:

New fuel pump (v low power)
New alternator (drained battery)
Failed wheel bearing (caused wheel lock-up at 30mph)
Failed brakes whilst driving (pipe had cracked)
New UJs
New swivel balls
Electrical problem (brake lights flash with indicator, new fault, to be fixed at weekend)
Welding to get through MOT
Plus normal servicing of course

Not very reliable. Looking at buying a new 110.

An '85 Fender, and you expect it not to need maintaining and the occasional new bits??

If you don't look after it, it won't look after you!!

FFS It's a Landy!!

Oldseadog said:

An '85 Fender, and you expect it not to need maintaining and the occasional new bits??

If you don't look after it, it won't look after you!!

FFS It's a Landy!!

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Yep - needs a Kia with a 7 year warranty

I was simply answering the question "How reliable/unreliable as your defender been", no need for sarky comments.

... And you expect a vehicle which is almost 30 years old to just keep on running forever without having to replace or repair bits??

The comments are not sarcastic unless you think they are!

If you are maintaining it yourself, you need to get down and get dirty ... Often!! You also need a good grease gun, plenty of grease and loads of time on your hands, so that you can check any of the bits that wear out and replace them before they do!

It's a Landy and things generally don't just stop working ... you tend to get plenty of notice before something goes wrong. If you choose to ignore the telltale signs, then that's up to you!