Body work corrosion - Help

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

Hi everyone, we are completely new to the world of land rovers and are looking to buy a defender TD5 for our small farm.

We have found one we are interested in, but wanted to ask advise about the body work - photos attached. Is this a relatively simple respray due to aluminium oxidisation or something more concerning? I have been reading about Electrolytic corrosion?

Any help and advise would be greatly appreciated, as we don't want to be buying major problems, certainly for the money being asked. The land rover looks pretty good, low miles 60k 16yrs old - and apparently according to MOT history has never had a advisory!!! any thoughts or opinions would be highly appreciated.

What value you would think she is worth?

Thanks in advance

doriz · Feb 5, 2019

Plenty of farm types on here. Maybe some more info about your vehicle requirements might help i.e. will it be simply for farm use, mot’d, red diesel, pigs in the back. The outside looks ok but it’s underneath that matters. If you want to tow is the rear cross member sound?

Good luck

@Turboman @jamesmartin @Hicap phill

Si Click · Feb 5, 2019

If you mean the areas of green paint loss, that is probably either long term battle scars or evidence of a cheap respray. Painting aluminium is straightforward if done correctly, problematic if not.
The corrosion you should be most concerned about checking is on the chassis and bulkhead. Check these really carefully as that is a no nonsense farm vehicle, not some mollycoddled enthusiasts hobby, and mud may have been inside the chassis rails for a long time.
Corrosion internal to the doors can be an issue and often first shows as (and dismissed as) paint flaking off the aluminium.
Check for oil leaks from the engine and gearboxes, but also around the hubs/brakes/swivels. Any oil dripping from the handbrake drum will point to an output oil seal from the transfer box and probably brake shoe containation. These are all resolveable, but factor the repair cost into the price.

Gmacz · Feb 5, 2019

Was it originally white coloured and then painted green like mine. Is it green inside. Could be top coat coming off but hard to see in pics.
Good touch up with a brush will make a big difference.

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

Thanks everyone for the replies, the chassis, looks pretty good couldn't see any welds or signs of patching. Bulkhead and doors all look solid, no bubbling or rust and it definitely didn't look like anyone had tried to cover anything up or tidied up for sale... looked pretty honest. It went through MOT yesterday and again had no advisories, not a mention of oil leaks or corrosion. and only has 60k on the clock... My hope is with a bit of TLC it can be a keeper and serve us well. I just wanted to underatdn the paint on the body work a bit more before we exchange cash, in case it was a sign of something hiding underneath.

Its not cheap, but I hope worth the money. Any thoughts.

Si Click · Feb 5, 2019

So how much are they asking?

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

£9500 inc vat

Si Click · Feb 5, 2019

As long as the condition is as you describe, that does not seem unreasonable for a Defender these days.

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

Thanks, not cheap but want it as a keeper so hopefully worth it.

Si Click · Feb 5, 2019

Just make sure you have a bit in reserve for the inevitable replacement parts, paints, lubricants, upgrades..............

bluedog333 · Feb 5, 2019

I’d be cautious about paying that much for what looks like an ex-farm Landy. Although the mileage is low, those miles might be ‘hard’ miles, rather than nice smooth road miles.
It may have had an easy life and be in very good condition, in which case the price would be ok - still not a bargain, but Landy prices are staying steady.

Discodevon · Feb 5, 2019

That corrosion is typical of a farm landy, manure rots everything even alloy if not washed off, you can see on the pictures where the corrosion is is where the muck will of flick up off the wheel where the old chap has been checking his sheep... I would try and stay clear of a farm landy but if it’s as good as what you say? If your spending near 10k you need to be 100 sure it’s solid, go and check it again if needs be

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

Thanks everyone, I aware how some farm landys are treaded, seen a 14 plate on the local farm that was ruined! It does look pretty tidy for a “work horse” defiantly compared to some we have looked at. And at least there is nothing being hidden. I’m more than happy to put some time into it to get it back to good condition. And mot has never seen a advisory which I was shocked at tbh. Just wanted to make sure the corrosion on the panels isn’t a big issue as I see they can be pricey, will sort them as soon as we get it and also give the whole chassis a treatment. Any advice on how to sort the panels and chassis treatment would be greatly appreciated.

bluedog333 · Feb 5, 2019

Funonthefarm said:
Thanks everyone, I aware how some farm landys are treaded, seen a 14 plate on the local farm that was ruined! It does look pretty tidy for a “work horse” defiantly compared to some we have looked at. And at least there is nothing being hidden. I’m more than happy to put some time into it to get it back to good condition. And mot has never seen a advisory which I was shocked at tbh. Just wanted to make sure the corrosion on the panels isn’t a big issue as I see they can be pricey, will sort them as soon as we get it and also give the whole chassis a treatment. Any advice on how to sort the panels and chassis treatment would be greatly appreciated.

No advisories is always a good sign (providing the farmer wasn’t being too friendly with the local MoT garage - which has been known!). 90 pick ups like that one are quite rare for sale, so you’ll have less choice compared to other models. I would expect underneath to be spotless and in very good order for £9.5k, as you’re realistically in the realms of galvanised chassis for TD5 era vehicles.

nobber · Feb 5, 2019

That doesnt look like Electrolytic corrosion, that will happen where steel rusts and comes into contact with the aluminium, the aluminium then becomes sacrificial, its common around the door frames, body mounts etc, especially along the bottom of the doors, it could be just a poor paint job but its puzzling why its happening at the same place on both sides.

bluedog333 · Feb 5, 2019

nobber said:
That doesnt look like Electrolytic corrosion, that will happen where steel rusts and comes into contact with the aluminium, the aluminium then becomes sacrificial, its common around the door frames, body mounts etc, especially along the bottom of the doors, it could be just a poor paint job but its puzzling why its happening at the same place on both sides.

Stone chips from flying around farm tracks?

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

Discodevon made a good suggestion about spray from wheels, and potential acidic conditions. I’m going to check the underside again and make sure it’s sound, but I would have expected a note in a mot somewhere about corrosion, even just to cover their back. Also has full service history - 50k
Main dealer.

nobber · Feb 5, 2019

bluedog333 said:
Stone chips from flying around farm tracks?

Could well be, it would be interesting to see a close up.

nobber · Feb 5, 2019

Funonthefarm said:
Discodevon made a good suggestion about spray from wheels, and potential acidic conditions. I’m going to check the underside again and make sure it’s sound, but I would have expected a note in a mot somewhere about corrosion, even just to cover their back. Also has full service history - 50k
Main dealer.

I dont want to scare you but this had 6 months MOT, an MOT doesnt mean anything really. It was like this all over the chassis.

Funonthefarm · Feb 5, 2019

Will definitely go for a good poke around!!!!

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