Defender 90 - What do I need to look for please?

Needalandy · Oct 3, 2015

I am looking for a defender 90 and am going to see a 1985 Defender 90 , 200 Tdi tomorrow. Can anyone give me any pointers in terms of what to look out for? Are there any regular / common problems that come with this particular model?
Its a private sale and price is £4,250 which seems ok?
Thanks, appreciate your responses.

The Mad Hat Man · Oct 3, 2015

look in the CFAQ section - its all in there.

lynall · Oct 3, 2015

Take someone who knows what they are looking at!

bluedog333 · Oct 3, 2015

Chassis rust, bulkhead rust, check low/high/difflock engagement. And call it a Ninety, not a Defender ( strictly speaking it isn't one! ).

Turboman · Oct 4, 2015

Needalandy said:
I am looking for a defender 90 and am going to see a 1985 Defender 90 , 200 Tdi tomorrow. Can anyone give me any pointers in terms of what to look out for? Are there any regular / common problems that come with this particular model?
Its a private sale and price is £4,250 which seems ok?
Thanks, appreciate your responses.

The Mad Hat Man said:
look in the CFAQ section - its all in there.

Good suggestion!

lynall said:
Take someone who knows what they are looking at!

Even better suggestion.

bluedog333 said:
Chassis rust, bulkhead rust, check low/high/difflock engagement. And call it a Ninety, not a Defender ( strictly speaking it isn't one! ).

Good ideas! And bluedog is right, it is a Ninety, not a Defender. Worth checking that it does actually have a Tdi, which would be an aftermarket fitment.
Also suggests to me that if you are going to buy a landrover, it would be worth doing a bit of background reading about the history of the vehicles, and the various changes that have taken place over their development. Should give you a better idea what you are looking at.

Foxyred · Oct 4, 2015

LOOK hard, poke about, use your head, do not allow the fact you want a 90 let your guard down or your heart win. Parts are not expensive But loads of parts get very expensive.
And most importantly be ready to walk away ! Good luck.

Marmaduke · Oct 4, 2015

Check and recheck its ID as so many get stolen, as said it should be a 2.5td or even a n/a similar check that the conversion has been done correctly and rust on all chassis areas including outriggers and crossmember and finally bulkhead including footwells.
Don't forget that winter tax will be pushing prices up and if nothing else take a screw driver with you for poking around as a genuine seller would expect you to

lightning · Oct 4, 2015

If it turns out to be a good one, snap it up. As you don't get much Defender/90 for under £5k at the moment.

Round here good ones are £10,000

Turboman · Oct 4, 2015

Foxyred said:
LOOK hard, poke about, use your head, do not allow the fact you want a 90 let your guard down or your heart win. Parts are not expensive But loads of parts get very expensive.
And most importantly be ready to walk away ! Good look.

I think that is really good advice.
Try and look at the vehicle that is sat in front of you on its sagging springs and in a pool of oil.
Not the one you have been imagining in your mind for months!

And as you say, any doubts, walk away, find a sound one. Buying carefully can save years of heartbreak.

Defender 90 - What do I need to look for please?

Needalandy

Active Member

The Mad Hat Man

Well-Known Member

lynall

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bluedog333

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Foxyred

Well-Known Member

Marmaduke

Well-Known Member

lightning

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

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