Buying Tips - Things To Look For

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DerbyDefender

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4
Location
Derbyshire
Hello,

I'm going to view a Defender 90 (1992 K reg) on Saturday and I was wondering what things I should be looking for? I'm a complete novice but have been told to bring a screwdriver and torch! Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've never owned a car like it but greatly admired for years.
 
Welcome to LZ, always worth posting a quick intro in the introduce yourself section.

Like all old cars the list is as long as your arm.
Ignore shiny paint and fresh chassis wax at your peril.
 
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Welcome to the zoo
If you do buy the Landrover. When you bring it in, take the vehicle to the defender section for decontamination from Evoque spores.
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Nextdoor will be the door for signing in the defender section for chats and social media training.
 
Hi and welcome!

Lots of help and advice on here and online generally. The main points are not to buy on age or mileage but on condition, thoroughly check the chassis and bulkhead for rust as these are the problem areas and expensive to replace and check all identification numbers are present and correct. Do and HPI check too. And as mentioned, definitely do not buy in the dark!

If you haven’t driven one yet, try one before you buy (some don’t!) They aren’t everyone’s cup of tea...

Let us know how you get on.
 
Be aware that the current rash of "low emissions zones" is likely to spread to most towns within a few years.

lf that happens you won't be able to take your Land Rover into the city without paying a fine every time.

For some owners that won't matter, but it's worth bearing in mind.
 
The list is long ....

1992 is likely to have had or is in need of some work on the chassis.
Areas to check are around the rear suspension, the rear x-member, the outriggers (they stick out of the chassis and hold the bodywork) and around the gear box x-member.
There are 'holes' in the bottom of the chassis that act as drain holes - are these still round (about 13mm in diamater) or are they corroed into larger different shapes.
Also the bottom of the A pillars (under the front door hinges), the bulkhead by the door straps and under the front vent flaps.
Lift the carpets and look at the floor panels especially where they meet the gearbox tunnel.
Check the battery box.
Check the fuel tank and the steel support strap and brackets.

Does the gearbox go easily into 3rd and 4th. Is 2nd and reverse easy to find.
Can you get into high and low ratio and does the 4WD lamp light.

Brakes are easy to change and not overly costly to replace. Calipers, pads and disks are around £250 per axle.
Steering boxes are similarly priced (for a refurb).
Check the condition of the rubber bushes on the panhard rods (hockey sticks) and the rear link mountings as well as the shock absorbers and A frame.

In gear, with the handbrake off, on a flat surface can you rock the car back and forth ? A little is fine, if the wheels turn by 1/8th (or more) rotation you have a lot of 'slop' in the transmission.

Is the engine/gearbox coated/dripping with oil ?

Look at the bottom of the doors also look around the door catches and see if these areas are full of holes or the frame is cracked.
Signs of rot are white bubbles in the paintwork along the bottoms of the doors and along the lower edges of the cars sides indicate that the steel subframe is rotting.
Look under and mats in the back - is the rear floor still solid and one piece.

Check the condition of the rubber door and window/windscreen seals.
Seats are expensive - what are they like ?
Engines typically outlast the rest of the car :)

Good luck
 
Hello,

I'm going to view a Defender 90 (1992 K reg) on Saturday and I was wondering what things I should be looking for? I'm a complete novice but have been told to bring a screwdriver and torch! Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've never owned a car like it but greatly admired for years.
Simples.....

Take an aged veteran with you.... nothing else will do you as good. I banged over it with a screwdriver for 2 hours looking for rust but there were things missing from the chassis and bits not attached which I just didn't know and found out years later.

Text guides are good but if you are new to LR you will struggle to find items.

Mine is a J REG similar to yours in age.... various items will have failed so will need to have been replaced/fixed. A big no no for me now was the respray.
 
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Take someone with you who knows Defenders, a 92 Defender could be one step from the scrap yard if you don't know what you are looking for. Ask for a volunteer on here in your area to have an initial look with you, someone who will already know the pitfalls.
 
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