Help Buying a Defender 90 or 110

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking at buying a old Defender 90 or 110. Please don't hate me but I probably wont be taking it off road other than in the snow etc. I have looked on Autotrader and it obviously not buying a normal car as the prices are all over place and more dependent on the condition to a point other than the year and mileage.

I have a budget in mind and would either prefer a newer one 2010 ish or a recent restoration.

What are the things to lookout for? Would you buy private or from a trader?

Welcome to the chicken shed worth clucking over at the Defender section for better grain variety. For my ten pence worth you will need to check it providence as you very easily fall prey to ringers. Defenders have a luxury for Jimmy the Dinks type. As the parts are easy to remove replace and transport abroad. Prices can vary because sellers hold the premium for longevity of the vehicle age. Like mature wine or jewellery. There are dealers too who are scams and rip off merchants and when you ask the Defender section they will give sound advise. Best of luck in you venture.

Make sure it's not a ringer/stolen. Keep away from anything that's been modified unless you know what's been done, why it's been done and if it's been done properly

Defenders are sh1t in the snow

they get going just fine but kerbs don’t stop them like they would a normal car. Don’t buy one in the hope it will make you invincible in the snow!

test drive one first, they are quite different to a car

Great thank you. So the more paperwork the better. I suppose unless they are a specialist steer clear if it has no paperwork. Always check for VIN numbers.

If you are buying off a mainstream site jump now. Once the weather changes they go up £2k. Personally having owned a Fender for 7 years I’d get a disco or Range Rover for comfort - the pig’ll be happy in the defender

Online check of past mot's is also good, gives you an idea how it's been kept and if something has been hidden

I have seen a few auto conversions on Autotrader would you steer clear? Its not a deal breaker. Just something to be mindful of.

doriz said:

If you are buying off a mainstream site jump now. Once the weather changes they go up £2k. Personally having owned a Fender for 7 years I’d get a disco or Range Rover for comfort - the pig’ll be happy in the defender

Click to expand...

By mainstream do you mean Autotrader? Can you recommend anywhere else?

Seen a few cars that have been modified to sell, by people who don't know much about what they are doing.. eg. Buy a landy, put big aggressive tyres on, wheel spacers, lick of paint, fancy steering wheel.. looks amazing but still a nail underneath and quite likely unsafe and never actually been driven in it's current state

kermit_rr said:

Seen a few cars that have been modified to sell, by people who don't know much about what they are doing.. eg. Buy a landy, put big aggressive tyres on, wheel spacers, lick of paint, fancy steering wheel.. looks amazing but still a nail underneath and quite likely unsafe and never actually been driven in it's current state

Click to expand...

Yes I have seen a few of those look very nice but very few pictures other than the outside and the nice rims. It might be me, it always puts me off when they hide the reg I like to look back at the MOT's. When I sell cars I show it nothing to hide that way.

Is it OK to post links to Autotrader here for peoples opinion only?

Pumpytums said:

Is it OK to post links to Autotrader here for peoples opinion only?

Click to expand...

Others have done it so don’t see why not. Remember the eggspurts on here can only see what you see from an advert

Pumpytums said:

By mainstream do you mean Autotrader? Can you recommend anywhere else?

Click to expand...

Depending upon your location army sell old defender via auctions. On this site people occasionally selling their pride and joy. It worthwhile taking time and choose wisely as the market demand a high price. Also as the vehicle is not a car more a truck your skills need to adapt.

Pumpytums said:

Is it OK to post links to Autotrader here for peoples opinion only?

Click to expand...

Also dont forget if the car is decent and worth a punt, there are others looking!
You will find any defender/any age will always get a good price if it is totally standard.

lynall said:

Also dont forget if the car is decent and worth a punt, there are others looking!

Click to expand...

but whether or not you post here, interested folk will have likely seen it anyways

kermit_rr said:

but whether or not you post here, interested folk will have likely seen it anyways

Click to expand...

Not me, I am always last off the starting blocks!

Ok thanks all

Here are a few I found

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198654537?advertising-location=at_cars

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118346812?advertising-location=at_cars

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208690285?advertising-location=at_cars

Hi and welcome!

There’s lots of help and advice on here, the search function will help find it. Likewise, on google too.

As said, be aware of stolen landies being sold under the ID of another vehicle. Buy on condition and not age. If you’re not confident with what you’re looking at, take someone who is or pay for a full check. And an Hpi check is a must.

The links you’ve posted all look nice. The first isn’t a factory colour that I’m aware of so may have been tarted up with a later Tdci bonnet and alloys.

And definitely drive one before you buy it! They’re nothing like normal cars...

Great many thanks. If in doubt walk away. I will probably have to visit a trader first to get a drive. I used to drive a Navara but this is a different beast completely.

Would you reckon asking the seller for pictures of say the VIN plates prior to travelling to look and a copy of V5? If they get arsy save a trip. I don't mind paying for HPI or AA checks £200 for a avoiding really big loss.

Is it worth tracking down a galvanised chassis for example? Would a recent underseal prior to selling ring alarm bells?

Sorry for all the questions I hope you guys and girls don't mind?