Valuing a Defender - where to start...

Hi All,

We recieved some news recently which means we are going to likely need to replace my Defender... But i have no idea where to even start valuing it.

Its a 2006 TD5 with approx 115k on the clock. If i compare on Autotrader there are a couple with lower milage, possibly slightly better condition for 18k... But this is more than I paid. So i am just wondering if anybofy has any advice, i dont want to value it too high to sell privately, but then i dont want to go to a dealer and undersell myself in a part ex? My gut instinct was somewhere around the 14k mark but its not really based on anything other than a rough guide i found for the price of used Defenders?

Any thoughts on where you even start??

Thanks

Is it xs? Service record? Far more on chassis, rust condition and how it’s been treated than mileage. I know id rather have a mechanically pampered defender with a load of dents than a nice looking one that hasn’t been regularly serviced and had the worn out bits replaced. I know one identical to my 53 non xs with 70 odd on it went for 16 recently and sold within days! It was very tidy though. I don’t think you’d struggle to sell a good late td5 at all and if clean I’d agree with you on price

Not sure on the Xs bit actually, where would i find that? Would the logbook say?

Rust wise, it has been waxoyled most recently this spring/summer. The only corrosion beyond surface rust was the driver side rear seat belt mount which i replaced in April, and the passenger side front wheel arch, which i replaced with one of the puma plastic ones in August, not aware of anymore.

Service wise it has a good service history (i wouldnt say full as i dont know), last serviced last month (previously a year before and 9 months again before that). A few things were picked up at this one, bushes, rear drive flanges have some play. I have the parts purchased for flanges and half shafts, but not yet fitted them...

Crossmember solid? Xs will have half leather and aircon. You’ll get what someone’s willing to pay. Mines rough around the edges and similar mileage. Once I’ve done rear x member and clutch I’d value around 11k. That may give you an idea

Yeah rear cross member seems solid.
It is XS spec

Bloke I know just sold his 05 td5 90 van, black very tidy in and out new rear xmember 76k on the clock, got 12k.

lynall said:

Bloke I know just sold his 05 td5 90 van, black very tidy in and out new rear xmember 76k on the clock, got 12k.

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That’s a point - is it csw or van?

A post 2002 TD5 90 XS Station Wagon (rear seats and windows) should fetch £14-16,000 on a private sale, if it's a good one.

That is, no corrosion on the door bottoms, good panels and clean crossmember, nice interior, not needing a ton of "catch up" maintenance.

Prices are all over the place at the moment with some buyers "having a go" at silly money.
l bought a 2005 TD5 XS SW in Bonatti Grey with 115,000 recently for £14,500
lt needed around £1,000 of bits and pieces mainly a new clutch and rear driveshafts a new battery and rear brakes.
But it was a nice one with hardly any aluminium scabs and no dents.

The prices are ridiculous at the moment and not consistent. Realistically, I would be asking £12k but to be fair, they are only worth what someone will pay. My advice would be.... be honest and open as buyers will pay more with confidence they know what they have to spend to get it the way they want. Good luck!

Prices seem to depend on where in the country you are.
Round here prices are high.
Down south prices are a fair bit lower.

All used car prices have been high for the last few months, people thought used prices would drop, but they went the other way as there was less and less trade ins (dealers shut) and thus less 2nd hand stock about.
Plus people went mad getting what they had always wanted, maybe realising life is shorter than they first thought? but now the harsh finanical realities of reduced/no work are going to kick in.
Add in the talk of no IC engines 2030 onwards, why buy a new car when you can make the current ****er run for a few more years?

Same as puppy prices gone mental, again that will bite people in the financial arse, and sadly the dogs arses sooner or later.

l am not sure the current surge in Defender prices is sustainable, already l've seen prices falling round here particularly for the TD5

Well as much as I love the Defender, the current prices are unrealistic especially when compared to the competition.

Would I spend 25k (if I had it!) on a tarted up TD5 or would I buy a current model vehicle such as the jimny.......Japan it is for me......£20,995.....not in yellow though

TeddyBS said:

Hi All,

We recieved some news recently which means we are going to likely need to replace my Defender... But i have no idea where to even start valuing it.

Its a 2006 TD5 with approx 115k on the clock. If i compare on Autotrader there are a couple with lower milage, possibly slightly better condition for 18k... But this is more than I paid. So i am just wondering if anybofy has any advice, i dont want to value it too high to sell privately, but then i dont want to go to a dealer and undersell myself in a part ex? My gut instinct was somewhere around the 14k mark but its not really based on anything other than a rough guide i found for the price of used Defenders?

Any thoughts on where you even start??

Thanks

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Guessing you might be about right on the 14k. Or a bit too much.
If you put it on Autotrader website at 13,990, you could always knock it down a grand after a week or two if you don't get any calls.
At that location, this might be a good time to sell it, as there might be people desperate to get around if there is snow and ice in the next few weeks.

potus said:

Well as much as I love the Defender, the current prices are unrealistic especially when compared to the competition.

Would I spend 25k (if I had it!) on a tarted up TD5 or would I buy a current model vehicle such as the jimny.......Japan it is for me......£20,995.....not in yellow though
View attachment 226944

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You sure? I reckon the yellow would suit you sir!

Though TBH a Jimny is going to be a way better car than the defender for most people.

I hate my defender. It costs me more than any car I’ve owned. I get in it and drive it and realize I love my defender
Prices are insane for what they are but I don’t think there’s much like them.

resto_d1 said:

I hate my defender. It costs me more than any car I’ve owned. I get in it and drive it and realize I love my defender
Prices are insane for what they are but I don’t think there’s much like them.

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So from what you are saying, they are the ultimate drive for hardened masochists!

Turboman said:

So from what you are saying, they are the ultimate drive for hardened masochists!

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Pretty much. My hilux worked perfectly. Low mileage, draws and dog crates in back etc. It just didn’t feel special. I used to have jap imports - they had the same special feel. I’d actually started saving for an ls430 should I end up doing mileage again and had half of the money for it aside but my defender wanted to spend the money at Ashcroft
I did get a bit of a tired one but I think they’ll all need bits soon enough at the age they’re at. I always get people say I’d love to own a defender like yours. I tell them they don’t lol. It amazes me that people who can’t spanner on them buy them too. Probably cheaper to run an m car!

Oh and whilst I’m wittering, the best thing about the defender after 4wd and ground clearance is that it’s a big cube! You can make anything you want out of the back. I have tool boxes, coat hooks, dog space, fishing rod holders, first aid etc. You buy a fairly basic/poor blank canvas them make what you need.
Another amazing thing is the seat position. All trucks have hurt my hip over the years. 0 hip pain in defender as I’m sat up on my arse rather than stressing my hip flexor

resto_d1 said:

Pretty much. My hilux worked perfectly. Low mileage, draws and dog crates in back etc. It just didn’t feel special. I used to have jap imports - they had the same special feel. I’d actually started saving for an ls430 should I end up doing mileage again and had half of the money for it aside but my defender wanted to spend the money at Ashcroft
I did get a bit of a tired one but I think they’ll all need bits soon enough at the age they’re at. I always get people say I’d love to own a defender like yours. I tell them they don’t lol. It amazes me that people who can’t spanner on them buy them too. Probably cheaper to run an m car!

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