Martin Radoczi

Martin Radoczi

Active Member
I went to view a vehicle today, just down the road from me, but I'd appreciate a bit of help...

Firstly, the vehicle was taken in as PX at a local dealer and was initially advertised for £2990. It is a 2006 Sport model with 103k.

When I viewed the vehicle, I was told it would not be sold with any warranty, nor could I take it for a proper test drive on the road, as it would be sold in an 'un-roadworthy condition' as due to its age and mileage, they do not put PX vehicles through the workshop. Also, the vehicle would have to be delivered to me, for the same reasons.

I've got alarm bells ringing already, at this point...or is this normal?

Secondly, I've been doing a lot of research from a number of sources, and I can't remember where I read certain things to be able to go back and re-check, so....

1. What is a 'Sport' model and how does it differ from any other model? Is it a level of spec?
2. The vehicle has had a reconditioned IRD fitted in the last 1.5k by Freelander Specialists. Any cause for concern that I can't see any mention of the VCU being done too in the part service history?
3. Am I right in saying that I've read somewhere that different tyres at the rear is a red flag, and is indicative of a possible fault in the drivetrain, because this has them.

Other than that, it looks quite nice visually, but I didn't bother to take it for the limited test drive around their quite big yard that I was offered, as there was something blocking it in, and I couldn't be bothered waiting.

This is the vehicle in question: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...tion=at_cars&postcode=sg87be&radius=10&page=1

Since last night, the vehicle has been reduced in price by £500.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
If they are selling it as "Spares or Repair" i.e no warranty no returns then it should be a lot cheaper!
Wouldnt bother, silly if they wont let you drive it, it has an MOT!
 
I have been told recently by a trader that they have to give a warranty.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ put the reg number into here, brings up MOT history, advised noisy wheel.
Vehicle make LAND ROVER
  • Vehicle model FREELANDER
  • Date first used 10 January 2006
  • Fuel type Diesel
  • Colour Black

MOT history of this vehicle
  • Test date 5 September 2016
  • Expiry date 14 September 2017
  • Test Result Pass
  • Odometer reading 100,265 miles
  • MOT test number 8774 9028 3554
  • Advisory notice item(s)
    n/s wheel noisy
  • Test date 5 September 2016
  • Test Result Fail
  • Odometer reading 100,265 miles
  • MOT test number 2704 9333 5756
  • Reason(s) for failure
    nearside front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
    offside front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
  • Advisory notice item(s)
    n/s wheel noisy
No test drive is suspicious
 
Just did the same MOT check, lots of previous fails/advisories!
And yes Im pretty sure a dealer has to give a warranty.
Normally a dealer who wants to off a PX just puts it into a local auction.
But Im certainly no expert.
 
Thanks for this guys. I didn't know about that MOT check thing - enlightening!

Whilst we're here...can you answer the questions I asked above please, for future reference.
 
Don't know much about sport spec, but I believe it has shorter springs for one. Half leather too by looks of it.

The replaced ird is nice, but if the old one died because the vcu got excessively stiff, it's not good that it doesn't seem to have been replaced as well. I wonder if the vcu / prop has been removed on this one.

Al, four (well, 5 inc spare) should be same size, brand and model. If it's a pick and mix that might lead to strain on the ird.
 
The 55 plate Sport has standard hight suspension. The pre 55 plate has lowered suspension.
The Sport is basically SE spec. But the leather seat sections are artificial leather.
The optional winter pack isn't fitted, so no FBH or heated front screen.

For reference. I paid 2K for my 05 SE auto with winter pack and full heated leather seats.
So this car is way to expensive for a vehicle with no warranty. Walk away;)
 
Heated front screen, heated front seats, Fuel burning heater (aka webasto, aka park heater & aux heater - can be only one function, or both), Cold climate battery. Also other mods were added to winter pack on CC regions (sweden 4example). Heated driver door lock, heated tailgate seal, 230/110 V Block and sump heater ect.
 
is that the same freelander specialist from Durham and used to be freelander spares, if so I would not have anything they had done I got stranded with a "new" vcu what a laugh .
 
Martin Radoczi said:
What is the 'winter pack' and 'FBH?'
Click to expand...
Winer pack on the UK spec added heated front screen, Fuel Burning Heater (FBH) and heated front seats, if not fitted. SE/ Sport spec added heated front seats anyway. The Heated front screen is very handy. I wouldn't buy a car without these days. The FBH gives extra heat for the heater in cold weather. It can also be hooked up to a timer or remote to preheat the car. Very nice on cold winter mornings, getting into a preheated car;)
 
Name combinations of Freelander and Specialist always ring alarm bells - but this is presumably the actual Freelander Specialists in Thetford. If so they are "good guys"! In fact, I would give Anne or Norbert a ring there and talk to them about the car. I doubt they would replace the IRD without replacing the VCU - but they might have installed a 2WD IRD with the existing broke VCU. If its got mismatched tyres, that's another indicator its on a 2WD IRD.
 
I have to say, the garage selling this car sound like rip-off merchants. £2.5K is not a spares or repair price for a Freelander - not even over here!
 
The receipt I saw, was from the actual company called 'Freelander Specialist.'

Call me naive, but I don't think they are purposefully being rip-off merchants; I think they've just taken a car in as PX and don't really know what they have precisely - they just see a '55 reg Freelander, look up the market price and there you go.

I'm led to believe they have a good reputation round here. Of course, I'm not defending them...I couldn't care less about them, I just want a decent vehicle!
 
Basically they are selling the vehicle as though it were a private sale. No warranty and no come back. However it's at a price that is higher than a private sale and you can't take it for an extended test drive. The test drive is critical for finding out what is working and what needs fixing.
A price would then be agreed, based on the findings. If everything is working correctly and you are happy with the vehicle after a decent test drive. Then it is worth around the £2K mark, maybe slightly more because it's a Sport.
However if there's anything wrong with the 4X4 system. You could very quickly spend a substantial amount of money restoring it to how it should be.
I'm curious as to why it's had an IRD at 100K miles. My 05 SE auto is still working well on its original IRD, VCU and diff. It just clocked over to 117K last week.
So for the VCU to take out the IRD in 100K, tyre maintenance hasn't been adhered to. Lack of correct tyre maintenance is a killer of the Freelander's 4X4 system.
 
If they want to sell it as a private seller they should take it home and do so.
Selling it as through the garage has consequences and come backs i.e FIT FOR PURPOSE
 
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