Originally Posted by
incisor
IMHO
mechanically, the first thing to look for is smooth.. Tick
does the engine run smoothly, does it idle smoothly, what happens when it is idling and you switch the air conditioning on.. does it slow down and run really roughly or does it slow down and still idle relatively smoothly? Tick
when taking off does the auto change smoothly or does it clunk or jerk Tick
when going from forward to rev and vice versa is it smooth or is there any loud clucks, a loud clunk from the back means look at the suspension rubbers and a frame ball joint Tick
when accelerating is there a lot of harmonic vibration thru the cab or does it smoothly move thru the gears and change into top just under 80 kph Tick
if it is smooth thru that lot, only leaks a little, and the automatic fluid doesn't have any sort of burnt smell to it then the basics are usually good and it is worth looking at further.. Tick
when you hit the brakes does it pull up smoothly or is there any shuddering or steering wheel vibration? Hmm, no. But I am gettuing this addressed shorrtly.
when hard accelerating does the vehicle pull to the left or right? if so suspension rubbers need work. Not really on acceleration. But on braking, yeah, see above.
check under the floor mats for rust or rust repair. Seems good
check the rear alpine windows for rust under the rubbers and check the load space floor for rust under the mats. No leaks. Seems good.
does it drip oil after a run? check the front and rear main seals and the front and rear of the transfer case. It's Land Rover for gawd's sake. Having said that it is WAY better than teh old Defender was !
check the power steering hoses near the joints to see if they leak... most weep a little. Yep, a little
does the steering moan when you go from full lock to full lock, most do a little... Indeed they do. But it's moaning, not complaining or whinging, eh !
check the central locking functions from the drivers door and lifts all the doors locks fully up. Tick
make sure all the door lock levers open the doors and that the windows go up and down using all the switches. AH yes, mine has the dreaded rear electric windows not working issue - usually easily fixable (relatively speaking) and certainly possible to DIY. I'll get around to it, honet injun !
if all seems well at the end of that lot spend the money get a local LR specialist to give it a once over...
