The timing belt on my freelander 1.8 from 1998 has snapped. It supposedly went quite undramatic when starting with load on the hook - I was not in the car myself!

Now I am worried if there are bent valves. I have removed the camshaft cover. There are no visible signs of damage and I have turned both camshafts without any problems. I want to know if there is any good way to make a first test for valve damage.

I'm considerering setting camshafts on eg cylinder 1, so the valves are closed. Then turning the engine with the starter and measure the compression. When the valves on cylinder 1 is closed, it seems that there are no other valves that are fully opened – but can they still be hit by the pistons?

Another option is to take out both camshafts completely to be certent that all the valves are closed. But this requires more time spend, new oil seals, etc. But will this be a better and the required approach?

Just fit a new timing belt, then do a compression test. That's the only sure way to tell if any valves are bent.

Thank you - I'll do that.

As Nodge says,
with a new belt fitted do a couple of turns of the crank by 22mm socket to 'feel' for any restriction, then a cold compression test

On the LRO website there's an interesting section here about their Freelander 1.8 project which had along with other things bent inlet valves. Scroll down to where they take the head off.