Paul I have a '99TD5 ES that has now done over 260tho kays yes I have had a bit of trouble, 75% my fault. My main problem was the head.
I tow a 2tone van and roughly, 2 thirds of those kays are towing. The leather seat is worm on the r/h side and the hand-brake boot is also worn. After 11 years it not much. Just find out who the owner was and quiz him. If you have the log book he should be reasonably honest especially if he no longer has the vehicle. I would rarther have a vehicle that has long runs under its bonnet than one that has spent nearly all of its life in the city.
As for the diff lock,the system that LR have is goodProviding you drive correctly. Ie constant revs to suit the situation. Don't keep reving it as though you were dragging at the lights. Broom broom. I don't have a diff lock and there are very few places I cannot go.
Also,buying an older vehicle could be inviting more trouble.
Why not have it inspected by someone who knows?
Tony

