I am considering buying a LR discovery td5 auto 53 plate it has a full service history (not LR) and has moved from Kent to Cheshire over the 9 years. My concern is that it has had 6 previous owners in its 9 year history, the average I have seen is 2-3 owners should this be ringing alarm bells?Also it has had a brand new Witter tow bar fitted prior to being traded in for a Jeep Cherokee....ugh!! Any thoughts???
When I bought my Disco 3 it was advertised as never been towed. When viewing the vehicle the owner was on holiday to whom I spoke to at the same time and his business Prather was present and also at the owners address. When handed the both set of keys, log book and service book the alarm bells sounded. Both set of keys had an additional key on the key ring which was for a removable tow bar. Although no tow bar was fitted and nothing in the rear storage panel and te owner still saying it had never been towed. I found that the grommet behind the bumper was lying in the tow bar storage area where the tow bar electrics enter to the connector, but still he denied of having a tow bar fitted. Upon doing further checks under the bonnet I found the removable tow bar stored in a rag in the second battery storage box which had been recently used. His business partner eventually caved in with the truth that the owner had a local auto spark remove the tow bar electrics as he thought he could get more money for the Disco. To current owner also eventually came clean and also not producing the advisory notice from the MOT about worn bushes. I eventually got 2 grand off the asking price for falsifying details about the vehicle.
So make sure you do your home work and look for the obvious do not take the service book as gospel unless receipts are present, but some vehicles registered in a company name will not have receipts as they are kept with the accounts. Also check with the garage that has carried out the servicing just in case a mate has got the service book stamped up. If in doubt walk away.
John
