Who can help me find a good defender in Kent?

Hi. Totally new to Landrover Defenders but always really wanted one. I'm in Kent - near Cranbrook (Tunbridge Wells). I'd love an older style Defender but not so old it is murder to drive. 90 or 110. Space to transport stuff is more important than seats - I only really need the front row. Anyone got any tips on models to avoid/look for and who are the local specialists you can point me to in my area? Thank you!

janeinkent said:

Hi. Totally new to Landrover Defenders but always really wanted one. I'm in Kent - near Cranbrook (Tunbridge Wells). I'd love an older style Defender but not so old it is murder to drive. 90 or 110. Space to transport stuff is more important than seats - I only really need the front row. Anyone got any tips on models to avoid/look for and who are the local specialists you can point me to in my area? Thank you!

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Space to transport stuff would make it a 110 I think you'll find.

Stanleysteamer said:

Space to transport stuff would make it a 110 I think you'll find.

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Gotcha. thanks!

Hiya

welcome to the asylum, lol, there’s a few of us in kent

Personally never had a defender only some of the older series landy’s , but with this range the condition of the chassis / bulkhead is always paramount plus the mot history can also be very telling , always look out for metal plates that have been put onto the sills / doors as they can hide a multitude of sins

if u can’t find anyone to go with u there’s always the AA/ RAC that do inspections , at least then it can give u peace of mind of its condition

don’t know if it’s still the same but use to have problems with insurance if the vehicle had 12 x seats , but as ur going to use it to move bits can remove the back ones and just get it changed on the V5 , that’s what I did in the end

I did put some marine ply in the boot to protect the flooring / rear door and side panelling , can then get some rubber sheets to lay over the top

also wouldn’t hurt putting a thread over in the defender section as maybe someone might have one for sale or know where there’s one

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/defender-90-110-130.7/

hope u don’t mind me asking but what’s ur budget plse as can have a look for u , any particular colour, petrol or diesel

good luck with the search and find what ur looking for

Plus of course ur need the water ingress manual, lol

Hi. Thanks for that - really helpful. Budget is maybe £10-15k. Yes have posted in the defender forum too, will see what comes up.

gstuart said:

Hiya

welcome to the asylum, lol, there’s a few of us in kent

Personally never had a defender only some of the older series landy’s , but with this range the condition of the chassis / bulkhead is always paramount plus the mot history can also be very telling , always look out for metal plates that have been put onto the sills / doors as they can hide a multitude of sins

if u can’t find anyone to go with u there’s always the AA/ RAC that do inspections , at least then it can give u peace of mind of its condition

don’t know if it’s still the same but use to have problems with insurance if the vehicle had 12 x seats , but as ur going to use it to move bits can remove the back ones and just get it changed on the V5 , that’s what I did in the end

I did put some marine ply in the boot to protect the flooring / rear door and side panelling , can then get some rubber sheets to lay over the top

also wouldn’t hurt putting a thread over in the defender section as maybe someone might have one for sale or know where there’s one

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/defender-90-110-130.7/

hope u don’t mind me asking but what’s ur budget plse as can have a look for u , any particular colour, petrol or diesel

good luck with the search and find what ur looking for

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janeinkent said:

Hi. Thanks for that - really helpful. Budget is maybe £10-15k. Yes have posted in the defender forum too, will see what comes up.

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ur so welcome , that’s a good budget to have , does annoy me when some are turned into Chelsea tractors so to speak, including having low profile tyres , just ruins them , so nice to hear urs won’t be like that and will be used as intended ,

Fingers crossed one comes up, know they can be more expensive to buy in the winter time , hopefully someone will also be able to come with u to have a look for u

personally I bought ex Thames water , British Gas landies as were well maintained , a lot cheaper as well

all the best

gstuart said:

ur so welcome , that’s a good budget to have , does annoy me when some are turned into Chelsea tractors so to speak, including having low profile tyres , just ruins them , so nice to hear urs won’t be like that and will be used as intended ,

Fingers crossed one comes up, know they can be more expensive to buy in the winter time , hopefully someone will also be able to come with u to have a look for u

personally I bought ex Thames water , British Gas landies as were well maintained , a lot cheaper as well

all the best

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Thanks for that! Interesting about buying the ex British Gas defenders - good idea!

Depends on where you are in Kent, try RCV Land Rovers, they are at Waterside Garage, Branbridges Rd, East Peckham, Beltring, Tonbridge TN12 5HH.
They have or did have a small selection of Land Rovers models including a Defender or two for sale outside their workshop.
If not RCV could possibly help you find “a good Defender in Kent”

discool said:

Depends on where you are in Kent, try RCV Land Rovers, they are at Waterside Garage, Branbridges Rd, East Peckham, Beltring, Tonbridge TN12 5HH.
They have or did have a small selection of Land Rovers models including a Defender or two for sale outside their workshop.
If not RCV could possibly help you find “a good Defender in Kent”

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That’s great - thank you very much!

I learned to drive off road in a mate's ex Water Board V8 110. Part of the course was going up a muddy, steep hillside so slippery you couldn't stand up on it.
But mentioning Water Board and Gas Board dates them. Hard to find now!