Checklist for purchasing a new defender?

Hey guys In was just wondering if there is like a bible/guide for checks needed when purchasing a new landy so you don't get a crock of ********

If you're a member of a motoring organisation they usually offer a service of sending someone out to check over a vehicle you're thinking of buying. Another thing is that they publish the checklist of things they look at on their websites. They're very useful as reminders of what to look for before handing your money over. For example I looked very carefully for chassis and bulkhead rust, and looseness in bearings and transmission components when I was buying mine (found a loose wheelbearing that the garage agreed to replace for me before I picked it up) but I completely forgot about basic things like brake lights and windscreen washers. Most things on a Land Rover can be replaced or repaired, so it's about imagining how much work will be involved and whether it seems worth it in relation to the purchase price. It depends on what tools you've got to hand and what you're good at doing. If you haven't got a welder it's a bit of a ****er if you buy one with extensive rust for example. And for vehicles mostly made out of aluminium, they certainly can rust a lot. If you've got spanners and hammers and punches you can probably replace most bearings and seals, though for heavy items like the engine and gearbox, an engine crane is useful.

Of course, you can check the MOT history online which can give you some idea of the faults that have been detected and whether they have been repaired.

Check to see if the drivers dumb iron has so much corrosion that its had to be ground right back, and patched up about 2cm x 14cm.

What kind of landy are you looking for?
Series, Defender, any particular spec, engine etc?
Basics on them all would be chassis for rust, body condition and sound mechanicals but I may be stating the obvious

landowner said:

What kind of landy are you looking for?
Series, Defender, any particular spec, engine etc?
Basics on them all would be chassis for rust, body condition and sound mechanicals but I may be stating the obvious

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I am looking at a D90. Prefrably a 300TDI or a TD5. A V8 would be fun but I heard them engines are a bit of a pain.

A V8 if looked after is a crackin engine, just a bit thirsty

Foxyred said:

Check to see if the drivers dumb iron has so much corrosion that its had to be ground right back, and patched up about 2cm x 14cm.

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At the risk of sounding like a dumb iron myself, what is a drivers dumb iron?

Jamscone said:

At the risk of sounding like a dumb iron myself, what is a drivers dumb iron?

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the piece of chassis the bumper bolts too on rhs

a magnet

jamesmartin said:

the piece of chassis the bumper bolts too on rhs

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And the bit that land rover stamped the chassis number on

jamesmartin said:

the piece of chassis the bumper bolts too on rhs

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Ah. Thank you.

Jamscone said:

Ah. Thank you.

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it comes from the times when cars had leaf springs and needed longer chassis legs to support the springs than the body needed

jamesmartin said:

it comes from the times when cars had leaf springs and needed longer chassis legs to support the springs than the body needed

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Thanks for this. I had often wondered why they were called such an odd name.

cropzy said:

I am looking at a D90. Prefrably a 300TDI or a TD5. A V8 would be fun but I heard them engines are a bit of a pain.

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Best choices, the two best Diesels there

TDI200 a bit old for spares. TDCI crap

TDI300 is reliable and parts are available
TD5 is powerful, reliable and sounds great
V8 sounds nice but old and no quicker than a worked on TD5

MJI said:

Best choices, the two best Diesels there

TDI200 a bit old for spares. TDCI crap

TDI300 is reliable and parts are available
TD5 is powerful, reliable and sounds great
V8 sounds nice but old and no quicker than a worked on TD5

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So from that synopsis both are a good choice. Just TD5 would be more expensive to repair.

cropzy said:

So from that synopsis both are a good choice. Just TD5 would be more expensive to repair.

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Only if it went wrong, which is rarely.

MJI said:

Only if it went wrong, which is rarely.

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Thanks for the insight! You have a rough idea of what I should be spending? My research suggests £10+ will get me something solid (hopefully). I plan to inspect everything on the car first to make sure it is as best as it can be first though.

MJI said:

Best choices, the two best Diesels there

TDI200 a bit old for spares. TDCI crap

TDI300 is reliable and parts are available
TD5 is powerful, reliable and sounds great
V8 sounds nice but old and no quicker than a worked on TD5

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200 TDI is not too old for spares! Plus budget or OEM parts are available for almost everything

payydg said:

200 TDI is not too old for spares! Plus budget or OEM parts are available for almost everything

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I thought there were parts issues with it and that the 300 was a better buy now.

Thanks for the advice guys. In the end I am going to go for a 300TDI or a TD5! Will post when I get it. Just need to get my current car fixed at the moment...