is this defender in bad condition?

[petemurphy]

hi,

looking at getting a defender but know nothing re what is good / bad condition. went to see this one which is low milege and cheap but is very battered. now i like battered but want it to be ok so know i should look at chassis and bulkhead. however not sure how bad is bad at this price range.

looking at these pics is it too rusty or is that level of rust normal?

thanks








[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/W9j6LQy5[/url]

[petemurphy]

and does this mean it was once green or is that some sort of undercoat?!

[stuttgartmetal]

Underneath, what 6 years old.
Catch been replaced with a secondhand green one

[petemurphy]

stuttgartmetal said:

Underneath, what 6 years old.
Catch been replaced with a secondhand green one

51 plate - is that bad?

the door is green too but i guess same applies will find the other pics thanks

[petemurphy]

[stuttgartmetal]

More detail needed.
Looks like its had a cheap repaint.
Check its not a ringer.
VIN Nos correct.
V5 correct.
Engine number correct.
The spec ties in for that year.

Edited by stuttgartmetal on Saturday 2nd November 12:15

[CAPP0]

I would say that chassis is what Defender owners refer to as "pristine"

Seriously, the underneath shots aren't showing me anything I'd be worried about (although some longer term proofing would be advisable). See how the other checks mentioned above stack up.

[g7jtk]

It does look like it used to be green but what about the condition of the rear crossmember?

[anonymous-user]

Chassis isn't a show stopper. Not great, but certainly not past it.
The paint job would put me right off though. It's not that difficult to do a bare shell respray on a Defender so that at least the seat box matches. Whoever did it couldn't even be arsed doing that, which would make me ask lots and lots of questions.

[cptsideways]

I would seriously be checking the cars ID, it will show on a simple text check if its had any colour changes if its says no then chances are its a ringer of some sort.

Post up the reg & lets see what we can unearth


My 23 year old Landcruiser has less rust underneath that that!

[petemurphy]

Thks VN51 XWZ

[530dTPhil]

It's supposed to be green.

VRM/DVLA Data
VRM VN51XWZ
VIN SALLDVA572A630408
Make LAND ROVER
Model DEFENDER 90 TD5
Colour GREEN
Engine Size 2495
Fuel DIESEL
Engine Number 15P13652A
Transmission MANUAL 5 GEARS
Doorplan (DVLA) 54 - Light Utility 4x4
Year of Manufacture 2002
Date first registered 08/01/2002
UK Date First Registered 08/01/2002
Used before first Reg False
Imported False
Import Non-EU False
Scrapped False
Exported False
Vin Confirmation Flag 0
Make and Model LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 TD5
Door Plan Literal LIGHT UTILITY 4X4
SMMT MVRIS Make Code B2
SMMT MVRIS Model Code LCA
DVLA DTP Make Code B2
DVLA DTP Model Code 162
Transmission M
Gears 5
CO2 Emissions *
Seating Capacity
Date of Last Change 13/08/2012

[petemurphy]

Does that mean it was green n just had a crap re spray or are they supposed to register the colour change?

Thks

[camel_landy]

Crap paint job but the chassis looks good for that age. The areas you need to check are the rear cross member & the main bulkhead (just beneath the windscreen).

The base car looks to be a very basic spec.

M

[cptsideways]

petemurphy said:

Does that mean it was green n just had a crap re spray or are they supposed to register the colour change?

Thks

Colour changes are supposed to be recorded, it will get flagged at the next MOT or if recently MOT'd it should have been.

Going by the number of nicked & ringed ones that rings a LOT of alarm bells, check it out very very thoroughly, check the chassis stamp not just the VIN plate.

[petemurphy]

thanks all - its this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

although going off it rapidly! if its ok legally i wouldnt have minded respraying it but i guess it will cost a lot more as its got a dodgy spray layer on it now?

want one thats mechanically ok but dont mind doing up the interior and non mech bits - this looked low milege for the money?

[camel_landy]

Don't be put off by the mileage... Buy on condition.

There are a number of TD5s out there, in your price range which frankly look a lot better.

M

[mikeh501]

camel_landy said:

Don't be put off by the mileage... Buy on condition.

There are a number of TD5s out there, in your price range which frankly look a lot better.

M

agreed. looks like a tatty TD5 which has been tarted up. Seriously second hand steel wheels, tyres without much tread and are not a brand name, missing heater intake on wing, v.poor paint job... what it hiding?, arch extenders, why? tyres dont look huge.

id say either the previous owner didnt have the money to do it properly, or the dealer bought a cheap one and stuck some tat on to sell.

[anonymous-user]

Highly.
Polished.
Turd.

And if they're the best photos the dealer can be arsed with I'd not hold my breath on customer service.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 3rd November 18:50

[camel_landy]

Crossflow Kid said:

Highly.
Polished.
Turd.

You can't polish a turd...
...but you can roll it in glitter.

Very fitting for some of the 'blinged' up st heaps out there!

M