New to LandRover - Need your help

Ashok Radhakrishnan · Jun 30, 2016

Hi All,

I am new to Land Rover community - actually, new to LR as such - have never owned one.
However, I am looking to buy a 2004 Discovery Td5 landmark and I have inspected all the previous MOT test results. All the previous MOTs does not mention anything about "chassis corrosion / rust".
If so, is it safe to assume the chassis is in a good condition?
Is chassis corrosion test mandatory during MOTs?

Your help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Ashok

goonarmy · Jun 30, 2016

No. Not even close. Get some overalls and a light and get under and look for your self. Take a hammer and tap anything that looks dodgy. If it is walk away.
If not keep the overalls, you'll still need to be getting under the motor regularly.

Seffy · Jun 30, 2016

The MOT is an examination that is good at the time of the MOT only. If the vehicle has failed, then been retested on a partial only basis, it may not list any advisories that could include corrosion.

As above, slide under it with a good light and have a poke around yourself.

doriz · Jun 30, 2016

It's a Land Rover - assume nothing.

Disco1BFG · Jun 30, 2016

Whilst examination of the structural integrity of the vehicle is mandatory during the MOT test - you might find that results vary perhaps more than they should - though this may apply to other aspects of the test more than corrosion. Has this thing been to same test centre throughout its life, or been to a different one every year?

Do bear in mind that as said above, that the MOT is only an indication of the condition of the testable items at the time of the test, and that it does not even guarantee that the vehicle is roadworthy.

IME a 12 year old disco without some rust is going to be rare, not unheard of, but rare, unless it has been properly maintained....

Disco1BFG · Jun 30, 2016

doriz said:
It's a Land Rover - assume nothing.

VERY good advice, succinctly put.

Ashok Radhakrishnan · Jun 30, 2016

Everyone - Thanks a lot for your replies. btw, I like the quote "Its a Land Rover - assume nothing" - this sums it up

This has gone through the MOT on 29th feb 2016 and it is valid till 4th March 2017.

Yes - it has been primarily serviced by 3 or 4 different LR specialist (in York and in Salisbury) over the years - got 4 registered keepers. So, I would assume it should have passed its MOT in at the least 3 or 4 different centres!!.

By the way, Is it worth spending around 100 pounds to have it inspected (esp. chassis condition) by "ClickMechanic"?
Have anyone used ClickMechanic before?
I do understand it would be a waste of money if the chassis is really corroded - at least it will give me some peace of mind if I am going to buy it.

Regards,
Ashok

Disco1BFG · Jun 30, 2016

IMHO, steer clear of anyone but a landy specialist with a proven track record, or use your own judgment. I, personally wouldn't pay "clickmechanic" (WHO?!??!?!) in washers. ( I just had a look at their site, and they want to know what's wrong before they come to fix it !!

)

the forum massive can probably help you find one near to you or the vehicle.... or a search on here for something like "D2 chassis rot" etc., will show you pictures of what you don't want to find

You can check the MOT history online, and it gives you the test station numbers who did the test(s).....

doodle bug · Jun 30, 2016

IMHO pay the money for a AA inspection & report ! at least then your got some chance of not falling into a bottomless money pit if as you say your a complete newbie to LR

Disco1BFG · Jun 30, 2016

doodle bug said:
IMHO pay the money for a AA inspection & report ! at least then your got some chance of not falling into a bottomless money pit if as you say your a complete newbie to LR

I would wholeheartedly agree that the AA will be a better bet than "Cl*ckMech*nic".

goonarmy · Jun 30, 2016

Ashok Radhakrishnan said:
Everyone - Thanks a lot for your replies. btw, I like the quote "Its a Land Rover - assume nothing" - this sums it up
This has gone through the MOT on 29th feb 2016 and it is valid till 4th March 2017.

Yes - it has been primarily serviced by 3 or 4 different LR specialist (in York and in Salisbury) over the years - got 4 registered keepers. So, I would assume it should have passed its MOT in at the least 3 or 4 different centres!!.

By the way, Is it worth spending around 100 pounds to have it inspected (esp. chassis condition) by "ClickMechanic"?
Have anyone used ClickMechanic before?
I do understand it would be a waste of money if the chassis is really corroded - at least it will give me some peace of mind if I am going to buy it.

Regards,
Ashok

As before the only person of trust to look at the chassis would be you. You are gonna have to get dirty.

Ashok Radhakrishnan · Jun 30, 2016

Thanks again guys - checked the quote for AA inspection - it is far more expensive - and I am sure my wife will kill me.
Thinking about it, looks like I will have to do my own inspection of the chassis. I would pat myself on my back if I am able to locate the chassis

Anyways, where can I find some pictures of bad and good chassis in this forum?
And, how can I identify (this is assuming I locate the chassis) if it has corrosion or rust or just mud - or anything else for that matter.

doodle bug · Jun 30, 2016

Ashok Radhakrishnan said:
Thanks again guys - checked the quote for AA inspection - it is far more expensive - and I am sure my wife will kill me.
Thinking about it, looks like I will have to do my own inspection of the chassis. I would pat myself on my back if I am able to locate the chassis

Anyways, where can I find some pictures of bad and good chassis in this forum?
And, how can I identify (this is assuming I locate the chassis) if it has corrosion or rust or just mud - or anything else for that matter.

Well its your head on the block if it goes wrong !... you asked for advice and you got sensible advice .....after the wifes beat the crap out of you
dont come asking how too put a bandage on.......Good luck.

goonarmy · Jun 30, 2016

Basically the chassis is the bit that holds the body, engine, gearboxes and axle's together. It's the skeleton of the car. It's a ladder chassis sof expect two big metAl sections running the length of the car with various sections at 90degrees which hold it all together. Have a look see what's there. If you see something that isn't good metal have a poke with a flat head screwdriver/tap with a hammer. If it's mud it'll come off. If it's rust it might come off too-that's not good.

Ashok Radhakrishnan · Jun 30, 2016

Thanks @goonarmy - will try and have a look.

Ashok Radhakrishnan · Jun 30, 2016

Forgot to mention one more point - while going through the land rover service book for this vehicle I did notice a couple of service stamps which had a tick for "Corrosion Test". Does this mean that chassis has been tested (inspected) to see if it is not corroded?

Regards,
Ashok

neilly · Jun 30, 2016

Nanny state here:

If you are going to lay under a vehicle tapping the chassis with a small hammer or a screwdriver, then make sure you are wearing safety glasses, old crumbly rust in the eye is not a comfortable feeling.

doriz · Jun 30, 2016

Quote Norm from New Yankee Workshop

"And remember this, there is no more important safety rule than to wear safety glasses!"

Seffy · Jun 30, 2016

If your only real concern is rot, rather than pay the AA, just take it for a 40min test drive to an MOT centre

Disco1BFG · Jun 30, 2016

goonarmy said:
As before the only person of trust to look at the chassis would be you. You are gonna have to get dirty.

+1 - if you are expecting to keep this vehicle for more that a single MOT's duration - or until it breaks in the interim, you're gonna have to get dirty.

Ashok Radhakrishnan said:
Thanks again guys - checked the quote for AA inspection - it is far more expensive

There's a reason for that - it is probably a much more thorough inspection

Ashok Radhakrishnan said:
Anyways, where can I find some pictures of bad and good chassis in this forum?

use the search!!

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