Thread: Defender - what should I look for when buying one (1994 - 1999 models)

I would invest some $ in having a specialist Landy mechanic do a complete checkover on whatever you buy.Maybe some members could suggest some names if you go down that path?
I bought a 2001 extreme without any mechanical check as it only had 20000k's on it, turns out the motor had been overheated.It hung on long enough only for the dealer to be in the clear and I got stuck with the bill.
Good luck, Landy's pay you back with..the experience....

Originally Posted by Jack110

I would invest some $ in having a specialist Landy mechanic do a complete checkover on whatever you buy.Maybe some members could suggest some names if you go down that path?
I bought a 2001 extreme without any mechanical check as it only had 20000k's on it, turns out the motor had been overheated.It hung on long enough only for the dealer to be in the clear and I got stuck with the bill.
Good luck, Landy's pay you back with..the experience....

You mean it made it another 80,000kms?

And your blaming something before 20,000kms?

I have a 1995 Fender which had 216,000 when I bought it.

I had an experienced Landrover guy (mate) have a good look at it first. I then got a mechanic to give it the once over.

The main thing I was told to look at was the last time the timing belt was done as this if it lets go costs a few bob to fix. I would also check the clutch and supsension components.

Mine has done the Hay River and lots of klms since then and while being dusty, sqeaky, and leaky, it goes well and goes places that my mates in Toymotas can't go. Then again mine has diff locks and a lift kit.

Thanks for the expensive way of doing things - get a "landrover professional" to look at it... Perhaps I could get a response from the "landrover professional" with what he/she'd look at specifically, he he he.

Any common problems that I could check out?

Chosen

Price will dictate the condition.

Get it checked and se if it has a full history.

Pre96 have a gear problem in the Transfer case
Pre96 have a timing belt problem.

BUT both can be fixed and Should be fixed if it was maintained.

The 300 engine is good, shop arround. you will find the right one at the right price..

Originally Posted by sclarke

Price will dictate the condition.

Get it checked and se if it has a full history.

Pre96 have a gear problem in the Transfer case
Pre96 have a timing belt problem.

BUT both can be fixed and Should be fixed if it was maintained.

The 300 engine is good, shop arround. you will find the right one at the right price..

Thanks sclarke... what was the problem with the Transfer Case?

The early ones used to wear the output shaft but most would be fixed by now.Also check the bottom of the steering box for leaks as the bearings fail.The suspension,brakes,clutch will be tired by now,things that wear on any vehicle.Some have had a good life,some have been on farms and the bush so a good overall check is a good idea.Don't be put off from the condition of some as Defenders are bought by people who do use them,not just to impress the neighbours. Pat

Assuming you are reasonably competent mechanically; all the usual checks for any used car, plus -

Check for anything that seems funny about the engine (or anywhere else), including, for example, evidence that the head has been off recently, and finsd out what was done and why.

Absolutely necessary to get documented prooof of when the timing belt was last changed. There is a mod to the timing belt idler on the 300Tdi, but it should have been done by now.

The clutch fork is prone to wearing through on the ball it pivots on. Not an expensive fix in itself, but you have to pull the gearbox!

Check rear axle drive flanges for excess wear, although this is more a problem with later ones, and while you are about it, check the cause of any excessive drive train slack, as some models suffered from excessive wear on the gearbox output shaft, and this is very expensive to fix.

If it has been in a coastal area look for rust, especially in the rear crossmember and the bulkhead, and where the middle door pillar hits the floor.

Make sure all the electrics work.

Should drive well, albeit not quite as good as a Disco. Any wandering or poor handling suggests worn bushes, swivel pins etc, and while not particularly difficult or expensive, can add up and would be a good reason to knock the price down, and may indicate generally poor maintenance.

Generally speaking they are a pretty reliable vehicle, and the engine is less expensive to work on than the Td5, and probably easier to troubleshoot as well. Any real problems should be apparent if you have a good look. If you are not confident of your ability in this area, it is probably well worth your paying an expert to have a good look, as the others have suggested. A credible service history is a big plus - ones without may be just as good ; but you don't know!

John