Thread: Things you should know when buying a Disco

Hey All,
I have noticed a number of members (myself included) asking for advice on purchasing a second hand Disco. I found this little article in Land Rover Owner International Magazine. Perhaps we could add to this and build a little “Buying a Disco, FAQ” and post on our site.

Cheers
anasazi

29 Things You Should Know When Buying A Discovery

Land Rover Owner International Magazine
Nov. 2003 Edition
Eddie Evans – Technical Editor

1. Listen for a clunk from rear of gearbox on Series I models when rocking from reverse to forward gear and back – could be gearbox mainshaft spine wear heralding loss of drive, and the need for a new gearbox.

2. High pitched vibration around front of cab may be only a front wing that’s broken away from its mounting forward of the wheel.

3. Check service records to confirm whether cambelt change has been carried out on sll Tdi models (Td5 has chain drive).

4. Sight along the body panels to check panel alignment. Misalignment may suggest badly repaired crash damage.

5. Look for rusting along the rear bumper: usually a cosmetic problem, but looks untidy.

6. Examine the dashboards on early models to see if it’s lifting or peeling. Most of those affected have been fixed but replacement is a long job. Repair kits are available for 300Tdi-type.

7. Check for leaks from sunroofs. Heralding stains or dampness in seats or carpets give clues.

8. Power steering pumps are often messy externally, but check hoses underneath for drips.

9. Check steering box for fluid leaks, looking from underneath the vehicle.

10. Examine steering track rod and drag link for slight bends incurred during off-roading – or even from clumsy jacking.

11. Chassis is good but check everywhere for corrosion. Tap the whole thing with a small hammer if the vendor will allow you.

12. Early Series II may not have diff lock – that’s not a problem unless you really want it.

13. Use a pry-bar to check for warn bushes at each end of all suspension trailing links.

14. Check for play in rear axle centre universal joint.

15 Examine brake discs for grooving, or rusting if the car has stood for awhile. Check the back side of the disks too.

16. Have someone rock the steering wheel while you check the steering shaft Ujs for loosness.

17. Drive the vehicle under high load: for example, up a long, steep climb or an uphill section of the moterway. If the engine coolant temperature creeps up, find out why. Maybe there’s a blocked radiator, worn pump or maybe more serious problems.

18. Drive over road bumps or potholes at speeds between 40 and 60 MPH. Steering wobble on impact could be expansive to repair.

19. V8 engines appreciate regular and proper maintenance, so check the car has had a good service record. Avoid any with cooling problems.

20. The possible causes of smoke from the exhaust are too numerous to go into here: suffice it to say that if the previous owner hasn’t bothered about that, then it’s proably a neglected vehicle.

21. Check the underside of the two main chassis sections at the front under the engine and forward. If there’s a ripple, it’s been shunted – walk away.

22. Doors should close solidly. If they don’t. the car may have been accident damaged.

23. Test-drive far enough to check the engine temperature stays at the correct level.

24. Drive the car at 70MPH and listen for wind noise. If excessive, it could be duff door seals – but more likely that the body/chassis is out of alignment following accident damage.

25. Look around and consider how the previous owner treated the vehicle. A Discovery that has been used and driven badly will have more latent faults than one with gaps in its service record.

26. Don’t be too impressed if a new gearbox or engine has been recently fitted. Instead, you should ask yourself what other major componet is likely to be similarly worn.

27. If the car has one new tyre, it has probably been fitted to hid abnormal tyre wear caused by suspension or alignment problems.

28. Check the dipstick: clean oil after a drive usually signifies a well-maintained engine. Grey tinge in the oil suggests a coolant leakage, maybe head gasket.

29. If in any doubt about your intended purchase, then think it over for a day or so.

:roll: Hmmmm.....I have no such problem in my series 2 ,.....Go the REAL LANDY..... all metal , no plastic , no dash curl!!!!!


soryy guys ,but on the other side of the coin my tojo has dash crack problems too, so its not just a l/r problem ! 8O