Inspection results advice needed

[Ranga]

Just had a 96 110 Defender inspected, with the following issues identified:

- tie rod boots perished
- oil leak steering box input seal
- spring sag RHS
- radius rod to offbushes worn (?)
- gearbox/transfer case oil leak
- LH engine mounts broken
- cooling system top hose swollen
- rust in all doors (surface)
- hinges worn front doors
- moisture in instrument guages
- rear indicator lense faded

Would love to hear comments on the above, particularly whether the problems are common, serious, how much to fix etc. Basically not sure whether all these things add up to me not buying the vehicle. Seller wants ~$11,000. 278000kms. Looks well looked-after on the surface.

The mechanic was not a LR specialist, and no idea how reputable.

Regards,
Ryan

[Psimpson7]

Just had a 96 110 Defender inspected, with the following issues identified:

- tie rod boots perished New Genuine rod ends are about $56each
- oil leak steering box input seal - not that expensive to change it if you an do it yourself but not a nice or easy job really
- spring sag RHS
- radius rod to offbushes worn (?) Genuine radius arm bushes are about $30each. Panhard ones are about 10$ each The 3 bolt ones are about 100$ a pair
- gearbox/transfer case oil leak who knows - could be loads of stuff
- LH engine mounts broken not that expensive, but not sure on exact price
- cooling system top hose swollen not that expensive, but not sure on exact price
- rust in all doors (surface) pretty common
- hinges worn front doors not that expensive for new hinges
- moisture in instrument guages
- rear indicator lense faded - should be able to pick these up for almost nothing

Would love to hear comments on the above, particularly whether the problems are common, serious, how much to fix etc. Basically not sure whether all these things add up to me not buying the vehicle. Seller wants ~$11,000. 278000kms. Looks well looked-after on the surface.

The mechanic was not a LR specialist, and no idea how reputable.

Regards,
Ryan

comments in red. doesnt seem too bad too me.

[Mudsloth]

Thats a pretty harsh roadworthy place. surface rust shouldn't be an issue, holes from rust yes surface rust no. Anyway, when all thats fixed shell be a nice unit

[101RRS]

Thats a pretty harsh roadworthy place. surface rust shouldn't be an issue, holes from rust yes surface rust no. Anyway, when all thats fixed shell be a nice unit

I don't think it was a roadworthy - rather a pre purchase inspection report.

There doesn't seem to be anything other than normal wear and tear to me - not bad for a 13yo - 275,000k car. The tie rod ends may not actually be U/S and may just need boots.

Garry

[rainman]

As Psimpson7 says, nothing too serious there. The parts aren't going to run into more than a few hundred dollars, and they are good little jobs to plod away with yourself, although "plodding away" probably isn't really an option when you need to get it the certificate.

The worst ones are going to be the gearbox/transfer case or the steering box. If the rust is only "surface", give it a quick sand, neutralise, then brush coat [with something - not sure what to recommend]. It will only be around the door frame which doesn't get seen much so it will look fine.

Tie rod end boots - I recently sold a car that was knocked back because of torn boots. Nothing wrong with the joint itself, but you have no choice but to replace.

$11000 sounds like a fair price to me. The little jobs give you some "negotiating" power.

[weeds]

yep what the others have said.....the only thing i would have got the mechanic to do was to pull the inspection plate of the t-case and inspect the main shaft spline? for wear.

ask when the timimg belt was last changed, if he cannot show you receipts than this would be a must do first up <$1000, get him to reduce the price

[flagg]

ask when the timimg belt was last changed, if he cannot show you receipts than this would be a must do first up <$1000, get him to reduce the price

..and drive it straight from the guys house when you pick it up to where you are going to get it done. I'm serious.

that said, you'll get it done for much less than 1k. (unless something has changed a lot in the last few years...)

[Ranga]

SOLD!

Thanks guys for your advice. After speaking to the mechanic, most of those issues were very minor, and as you all say, cheap to fix.

The owner seems very fastidious - the mechanic and another AULRO member who checked it out said it was very well looked after (and FWIW, immaculate house and yard where it lived).

Finally entering the world as a LR owner! Pretty exciting... for now!

[rainman]

Good stuff! Congratulations Ryan. I am a big fan of the TDi. I currently have a 110 ute and a 130 dual cab.

[spudboy]

Well done. Won't take you long to sort out the majority of the things that needed attention.

Did you knock him down below $11K?