Vehicle inspection for an oversees buyer

Hi folks
Looking at buying my first Defender and have found one at a dealers in Surrey, live in Ireland and can’t get across to inspect. Looking for someone who could inspect it for me. I know there’s the AA route but anyone out there with knowledge of all things Defender would be great.
Cheers
Martin

Whats the dealers name as there are some not very good ones unfortunately.

It’s Johnson’s 4 x 4 Addlestone Surrey. Landrover is a 1989 110 and on eBay. Specifically looking for a 30 yr old vehicle due to import tax we have to pay in republic

This one?
On the surface It looks alright for £7,000

Unfortunately the registration number is hidden but if you call them and get that you can look at the MOT history.
That should give some idea of the chassis condition.
There are a few spelling mistakes in the listing which for some reason l find concerning.

But a £7,000 Defender from a dealer (which means they probably paid a little over half that for it) will be a rolling project.
Worrying information from Companies House about them.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07623924


Have a look at the reviews of the company on Facebook.

https://en-gb.facebook.com/Johnsons4x4surrey/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164236982757

If the reg is G400 JUJ - which it appears to be from one of the pictures, then here is the MOT history for it, attached as a PDF:-

Doesn't look too bad for the money - but I'd be asking them for pics of the underneath - their ad states some corrosion - so lets see some pics !!

Business is currently in insolvency according to Companies House unless this is a new company.

Which means it’s possible that there will be no comeback after the sale, so l would treat it as a private sale.

Thanks for all replies, all makes sense. Posted a few pics, still difficult to see how good it is, like any classic need to see drive em. Hence buying a Landy over the phone is riskiest purchase I have done and I’ve bought classic/new cars and motorbikes. Sensibly need an independent report on this vehicle, anybody know local to this area who could inspect vehicle - will obviously pay for it. I know AA/RAC do them

An RAC inspection is going to come back sounding like the Land Rover is only fit for scrap.
It needs someone who knows about Land Rovers to assess whether or not it’s going to be worth throwing money at.
The main issue is, how good is the chassis and bulkhead.
If it needs a chassis then it’s £5,000 of work and that means you’ve spent £12,000 in total.... enough to buy a really nice 110 that doesn’t need anything more than minor jobs doing on it.

Disco1BFG said:

Doesn't look too bad for the money - but I'd be asking them for pics of the underneath - their ad states some corrosion - so lets see some pics !!

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Budge said:

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I stand corrected. I know I haven't seen it - but that chassis looks decidely flaky to me ... they did say some corrosion, and they are right !

I agree with lightning - you need to know what the chassis & bulkhead are actually, really like.

If they're anything to do with Johnson's 4x4 /Reid landrover who used to be in broad bridge heath.
Make sure ALL! the paperwork is in order.

Thanks for all the feedback, conclusion is need an independent inspection from someone who really knows landrovers. Difficult to find someone who would do it

Looking at the chassis, it looks like it’s been sprayed in waxoyl, or similar. That would make it hard to properly assess any corrosion. The flaky rear end is still visible though. I’d look to factor in a new chassis or at least a new rear quarter chassis as a minimu, which might make this expensive. Difficult to judge without seeing in person though.

Rear chassis rail just behind coil spring mounts looks sketchy, look further back and you can see replacement x member weld seam?
Problem is just about all of that age will be along the same lines.

Budge said:

Thanks for all the feedback, conclusion is need an independent inspection from someone who really knows landrovers. Difficult to find someone who would do it

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You have PM ....