Disco 2 Buying advice please

GingerPuss said:

Hi Folks,

I need some buying advice please.

I have been to look at a Discovery 2 (Td5 Diesel manual) advertised by a dealer in Autotrader. I looked at it earlier today. The guy said it was a part-ex swapper.

The body and interior are all OK (the chassis looked fine). It appeared to start on the button when he found the keys - and it has the original book-pack with manuals and service history book.

The problems that were not mentioned in the advert are:
1) The service history ends at 60k miles (it is on 161k miles now). Apparently the previous owner did his own servicing (a haulage contractor) - but it isn't documented
2) The rear air springs have been replaced by coil springs - and the ACE has been 'deleted' (disconnected and then the ECU re-programmed to 'delete' it)
3) Front nearside electric window doesn't work
4) The air conditioning does not produce cold air (just a re-gas?)
5) I noticed when the engine was idling, the fluid in the PAS reservoir looked like it was 'boiling' or being aerated
6) It was parked at the back so I couldn't test drive it (I would have to if I decide to take it further). The MOT expires soon, but the guy said he would be OK about putting a new MOT on it from a garage down the road.

He is asking £2,450 and is open to offers.

Should I walk away and look elsewhere - or does it seem OK?

The ad is here if anyone is interested:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507275550359?postcode=pr86lr&channel=cars&sort=default&quicksearch=true&make=land_rover&price-to=2500&model=discovery_2&radius=40&page=1&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used,nearlynew,new&logcode=p

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Nigel-S said:

I would insist all the faults are rectified before purchasing, he states 'electric windows', well they're not electric windows if they dont work. Also the a/c needs to be working. As it's a 5 seater it'll be on coils rather than air, so one thing less to go wrong. How is the chassis? particularly the chassis rails near the fuel tank, if there's holes that's not good news as they rust from the inside outwards. You can get a replacement rear chassis section. If I were in your position I would walk away as there's plenty similar D2's around for the same/similar price, personally I prefer to buy from a private seller but that's just my preference. Good luck whatever you decide to do

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Hunter13 said:

Hi, Nigel-S is spot on ... unless you are really competent and are happy to take a flyer .... 100k and no service .... personally I would walk away unless you can really afford to potentially throw the money away. Good luck.

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