Advice on Defender?

[ballast]

Hi - I was after some advice. I'm thinking of buying a circa 03/53 plate 110 Defender (12 seat). Having not had really had much experience of this age/type of vehicle, what's the general concensus on reliability, etc (engine, gearbox, build, bodywork, etc).

Thanks in advance.

[BLUETHUNDER]

That year,then it will be the TD5.Good engine just complicated by electronics.Body work,then not to much to look for as its still a late vehicle.But check the rear cross member for any signs of rust and corrosion around the bottom of the doors and around the cappings.

[Furyous]

IME, the later Defenders arnt any near as well built, in terms of sheet material thickness etc.

Personally, if the truck is intended for the long term, I would try and find the nicest and lowest mileage example of a 300tdi motor.


But thats just what I did.

TD5 is ok, but I dont trust it long term not to cost me some big dollar at some point.

Theres nowt on my truck that will cost me more than £500 to repair / replace.

0.002p.

F

[superlightr]

Got a G4 one of that age. Great. Fantastic. Love it.

No problems at all.

[ballast]

Thanks for the responses guys.

[Al W]

If you need 12 seats, you might want to check how late that was offered. I bought my 2000 X-plate one from a dealer who told me LR had never made them. Clearly they took over the franchise pretty recently.

I believe it was regs requiring 3-point seatbelts which killed off the middle front seat, but am often wrong.

Also check insurance on a 12-seater, as several companies (including some advertising in the LR mags) refused to quote for mine, despite long NCB etc. I got a good quote from NFU in the end

[ballast]

I think you're right - we're looking at a 9 seater 53 plate at the mo. It has the seats in the back rather than benches and no front middle seat. 9 seats should be enough thought hopefully!

50K miles - £17K - about right?

[superlightr]

I paid 18k for my G4 with all the kit and 36k miles.