Corroding Defender...

[Epsom]

Hi guys. A while back, I talked about an 03 Defender Wagon I was considering buying. The upside was just 62,000 klms and a low $20's price, arguably $10k or more under market value.
The downside was some very worrying corrosion and I enclose photos sent to me by the seller. I have not inspected the vehicle and realistically, probably won't have that opportunity. If I fly down there from the Goldie, it will be to collect it.
The financier has had it inspected for me and I am waiting for his opinion, but would be very interested in your thoughts before I push ahead.
It has apparently been kept at a holiday beach house.
I guess I am wondering how fast the problem will advance and how serious it can get. To fix it, I will have to write out cheques as I have no contacts or talent in that direction. So, yeah, as I say, agonising on this one.
I suppose you might well say "Run it for 5-10 years until it disintegrates, with those klms the mechanicals should hold up and it will owe you next to nothing".
Fair enough, but I don't think I have ever kept a vehicle more than 2 years in my 35 plus years of motoring, so not sure where that leaves me.
Interested in your thoughts anyway, cheers E.

[BilboBoggles]

Land rover offer a 6 year rust warranty. a 2003 might still be covered, just. But that amount of rust is a bit shocking really, I have a 2003 model and have not seen any yet. I'd guess it's done beach work.

Any rust repair is expensive - The hinge on the windscreen is bolt on bolt off, but requires skill to ensure you don't take a huge layer of paint when you remove it. I would expect that given the rust on those hinges that there is similar but much worse rust in the bulk head. That would be expensive. The chassis is the biggest worry, I'd expect that would be a lot of money to have welded and repaired. Rust under the rear cappings along the side is a known issue with that era Defender - and usually what you see is nothing compared to what's underneath.

I'd also be a bit wary of someone who let their Defender get into that condition and whether the rest of it has been maintained. For example I would have expected them to have had that rust fixed by Land Rover under warranty. Perhaps they did not worry about the other niggling issues you get on a 03 model....

Personally I'd keep looking. For that money you could get a much nicer condition tdi model, with much much less rust.

[scott oz]

Probably a beach vehicle.

I agree with the other post. If it's been allowed to get into this condition low K's may not be a good guide to the mechanicals.

Then again if you are only going to keep if for 2 years it may be more practical to slow the rust down rather than a restoration

[one_iota]

It's the rust that you can't see that will cost the real money. I'd move on to another opportunity. Even if the LR corrosion warranty was still running if the vehicle hasn't been inspected by LR annually then it would be null and void.

[DeeJay]

Thats only the rust you can see!!
I'd want pics taken of the underside of the doors & the door sills - the sills are rusting in one pic- but how bad underneath?
Its a concern in such a recent vehicle & will really affect the resell price when its older & the rust is worse.
You can only slow it down with treatment, not eliminate it.

Regards, DAvid

[JDNSW]

Pass on it. For its age it is VERY bad. If you buy it you are buying trouble and expense, and as suggested, if the owner let it get this rusty, has he looked after it at all in other respects? Probably a beach vehicle as suggested, but I wonder if it has been under water early in its life?

John

[Psimpson7]

That's pretty bad for an Australian vehicle. Far worse than even a cold climate salted road one would be at the same age.

I too would be wondering about its earlier life, and the possibility of it being in salt water.

The false screen hinges are a 20 minute job to change, and the body cappings are easy, although it would take you a while as you have to remove the hard top and drill out the rivets.

The chassis is more of a worry, and as has already been said I would want a lot more photos, and probably to look at it myself

Rgds
Pete

[solmanic]

That price seems awfully low for such a relatively new Defender. With the rust, can you be sure the vehicle wasn't drowned at some stage then recovered? If it was ever declared a statutory write-off then any warranty is void. Also what one_iota says is correct, without the annual body inspections (should be documented in the service portfolio) the 6-year rust warranty is void anyway.

[Scouse]

Thats only the rust you can see!!
Rust is like an iceberg.

What you see is around 10% of what is actually there.

[Scallops]

It's the rust that you can't see that will cost the real money. I'd move on to another opportunity. Even if the LR corrosion warranty was still running if the vehicle hasn't been inspected by LR annually then it would be null and void.

Further to this comment - the warranty only covers the body work - so that rear cross member is not actually covered. I'd give it a miss.

PS - It seems funny a fella called Epsom is worried about corrosion! :p

[Epsom]

Thanks for all your posts...the unanimous verdict is "Run a mile!"....which I have done today. Any panel beaters however, looking for a cheap, super low klm 03 Defender, send me a message.
I know Epsom (as in Epsom Green) is a crap moniker...'twas all I could think of when I discovered AULRO! Just wanted to get on here and explore.
Must try harder...any suggestions? :)

[lardy]

Thanks for all your posts...the unanimous verdict is "Run a mile!"....which I have done today. Any panel beaters however, looking for a cheap, super low klm 03 Defender, send me a message.
I know Epsom (as in Epsom Green) is a crap moniker...'twas all I could think of when I discovered AULRO! Just wanted to get on here and explore.
Must try harder...any suggestions? :)

This parrot is deceased, it is no more it is an ex parrot !!!!
mate that has rot that you wouldn't see in the uk after 10 winters with all the salt they put on the roads that has done laps down the beach without pre-care or post care i pity the unknowing bloke that cops a load of dramas with this beastie.
It is a new bulkhead i would suggest and possibly a new chassis in the next couple of years, although waxoyl could stem the flow of the cancer it would be inevitable i should imagine and would expect it to succumb sooner rather than later.
As for your new moniker 'done buying' would fit the bill when you find your purchase of choice :p