L405 Trouble with an L405 not driven in 4 years?

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Hiki08

New Member
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Location
Sydney
Hi all, new here and not yet a Landy/Ranger owner... but am looking at some. In particular, I'm seeing a 2015 L405 with a 5.0L V8 which hasn't been driven for the past 4 years - just parked up in the garage. The car starts fine (low battery warning light). Didn't see any oil leakages on the ground and tires looked okay. Didn't see any rust on wheel wells. Seller has given a plausible reason for not driving it. It looks like it has never been serviced since rolling out the factory.

I've been reading plenty of general articles about potential issues of undriven cars, including gaskets and tubes leaking, needing to drain and change all oil and petrol, potential tire change, battery change... anyone with some Land Rover experience here who could share your thoughts on buying a dormant L405 with a 5.0 V8? Would be happy to give it the full service it deserves once purchased, but not sure how much I should budget for and what other things I can look out for before proceeding with it.

thanks!
 
My dopey brother once bought a car in the manner you describe, been parked up for years, plausible reason etc,etc. The first time he took it on the road he was pulled by the police. It was a stolen vehicle. It had been stolen from around the corner from where he lives. Despite his protestations, he was charged with nicking it and got 3 months. Serves the daft idiot right.

Col
 
As stereotyping as it might sound, they appear to be a friendly well heeled couple, I really doubt it's stolen. I'd also be seeing the registration so I could check they're the name on the papers.

I'm more concerned about the car having not been driven for so long, mechanically what can go wrong, and the potential costs of getting the vehicle back in working condition. It seems like the answer could range from very little to almost everything. I'll get a mechanic to check it before purchase but there's only so much one can see without pulling too many things apart (which I'm sure seller won't allow before I purchase). Plus not sure how many mechanics know what to check for on a dormant vehicle. Not something you see often after all.

Mileage is sub-5000km selling for 50% of original. Interior condition is immaculate so I trust those mileage figures despite it sounding crazy. Essentially they bought it. Drove it for a year and moved without bringing their car, before recently moving back. They've since bought something else. Don't want to go about divulging all their details, but basically not too concerned about stolen, repossession, etc.

@Col - did your brother not have any documentation to prove he bought it from someone? At least here, and I believe in the UK as well, a bona fide purchaser for value without notice takes good title to the car even if it was stolen in the first place.
 
Hiki08 said:
As stereotyping as it might sound, they appear to be a friendly well heeled couple, I really doubt it's stolen. I'd also be seeing the registration so I could check they're the name on the papers.

I'm more concerned about the car having not been driven for so long, mechanically what can go wrong, and the potential costs of getting the vehicle back in working condition. It seems like the answer could range from very little to almost everything. I'll get a mechanic to check it before purchase but there's only so much one can see without pulling too many things apart (which I'm sure seller won't allow before I purchase). Plus not sure how many mechanics know what to check for on a dormant vehicle. Not something you see often after all.

Mileage is sub-5000km selling for 50% of original. Interior condition is immaculate so I trust those mileage figures despite it sounding crazy. Essentially they bought it. Drove it for a year and moved without bringing their car, before recently moving back. They've since bought something else. Don't want to go about divulging all their details, but basically not too concerned about stolen, repossession, etc.

@Col - did your brother not have any documentation to prove he bought it from someone? At least here, and I believe in the UK as well, a bona fide purchaser for value without notice takes good title to the car even if it was stolen in the first place.
Click to expand...
No my brother is an idiot and a trusting idiot to boot, the bloke who sold it to him said he had lost the logbook. I know this happens but the price should have rung alarm bells.
As for the mechanicals of buying a dormant car, a full service will sort out a fair bit, the rubber bits should be ok if it has been stored under cover but oil seals may have dried out and start weeping. I would stick a gallon of fresh fuel in it, a decent battey and see if it starts up ok. Don't forget the cylinders will be bone dry and the main bearings so maybe turn the engine over for several seconds before adding the fuel.

Col
 
As Col says, turn it over without fuel and then let it run for 20 minutes while sat still. Monitor it for leaks. Also do a good test drive and press everything to see if it works.
If the owner isn't prepared to let you do this, refuse politely.
Any thing that does not work is going to cost you as this generation of RR isn't that well known with a lot of independent garages. Monster car with monster upkeep!! Good luck ;)
 
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