Thread: Defender Reliability

maybe yours has had HARD time

mine has been up the vic high country 6 times in the last 2 months and it keeps on going no dramas what so ever

my car gets a pretty hard work out in the high country every time im there

And why are defenders unreliable pray tell - I haven't heard that before.

Garry

it might be the mechanics that have worked on it maybe thats why they dont want to work on it cause they stuffed it in the first place

I have a 2001 TD5 130. It has been very surprising in its power and fuel efficiency. This year its been off the road for a 2 month stint and the last week. Mine seams to have been an exception as the things that required repaires have surprised all mechanics I have talked to. Mine had extensive damage due to neglect before I bought it and me maintaining it as I bought it. At the same time I can't think of many large vehicles that would have done the things mine has done with a blown head. We estimate I have done around 40,000km with the dodgy head and it was probably blown when I bouhgt it in which case it survuved some 60,000km.

If you look after them they are trustable. Also nothing comes close with load capacity. 3.5 ton gross on the chasis and 4 ton towing with dual axcel braked trailer!

i have a 1998 defender 110 trayback. 200000kms, tows a heavy ass 8x5 dual axle 5-6 days a week

yes electricals, ie rear lights and head light switch are **** but in that time the only thing to be replaced is consumables

brake pads, oil, one set of discs all round and have just done the first clutch.

YOU MUST SERVICE ANY LANDROVER LIKE ITS LIFE OR DEATH...

ie mine gets it every 10,000 no matter what and i will keep doing this until it needs a new motor, then put a new one in and keep going.

they can be a lemon but so can toyota audi bmw ford etc....

if you have a negative attitude towards LR's dont buy one. you will regret it. lots of f series fords on the second hand market now this could be an option or mabe a small dana or isuzu?

cheers, serg

Originally Posted by Tony647

Hi all,
I have recently acquired a 94 Landrover Defender 2.5 Turbo Diesel Wagon as part of a business purchase. I know this vehicle to be a very unreliable vehicle. I am told that it is no different to other Defenders in this regard. I would like to replace it with a twin cab ute, but unfortunately Landcruisers don't come in twin cabs. So if I want a twin cab that can handle heavy going I am stuck with a Defender. I don't consider Hilux, Courier, Bravo, Navara, Rodeo, etc to be strong enough for the type of work I do.
My question relates to the reliability of later model Defenders. Have they improved at all since 94 or are they just as unreliable? Externally, the design seems the same, which is a bit of a worry as some of the issues I have with the 94 model are faults by design - eg, lack of power, lack of passenger space, difficult servicing (have had two mechanics refuse to work on it), and the list goes on and on. My only other option really is to have a Toyota Troopy converted, which I guess would be quite expensive, but would certainly save on downtime. Any comments?
Thanks,
Tony

Sorry Tony but I don't know where you get/got your info from..........but Defenders unreliable - sorry I don't think so.

..........however if any vehicle is not looked after/serviced/maintained then you are asking for problems

REFUSE TO WORK ON IT????!!!! Who's paying their wages?? I've seen this before, and it reflects, I think anyway, on their lack of proffessionalism and ability. The early Tdi defenders are pretty simple vehicles, and it may be time to find someone who WILL work for their pay. Tell them to wake up and stop bludging, read a few workshop manuals and MAKE AN EFFORT!!!

Whinging girls blouses.

There, I feel better already.

In answer to your query, they are reliable and tough IF they are serviced regularly by someone who knows what they are doing and cares...There I go Again!!!!

Where are you situated? I'LL fly in/ fly out repair and maintain it.

JC

Tony ,

It might be worth letting us know where you are.( Maybe we can put you on to a decent mechanic)

As the others have said... sounds like what you have been told is either BS or at least the advice comes from an uneducated or biased source.

Yes Landrovers need to be maintained properly - but so do all other vehicles. Servicing and maintaining a 94 defender is not rocket science.. If yours is particulaly unreliable - I'd suspect Neglect is the most likely cause.

Defenders are tough, reliable and the most capable 4x4 on th market direct from factory.

Sounds to me you may need to change mechanic rather than vehicle..

Mark