Hi all, new to the forum.

I've had my eye on a defender for a while now, especially since my dad used to own one when I was younger (many fond memories). A 1989 300tdi model has come up for sale near me for £7500.

From the pictures, the bodywork seems tidy, and the seller states no serious rust on either the chassis or bulkhead. It's a bit of a high miler (240k), but the seller lists some recent work done, which I've copied in below;
"Defender 300tdi for sale
Recent paint
Very good chassis and bulkhead with no nasty repairs.
4 brand new bfgoodwich km3 tyres
Nice seats and cubby box
New propshafts and drive members.
New genuine mudlfaps. And sidesteps.
New radiator. Lift pump and full service all done within the last 500 miles."

My two major concerns are the fact that the listing has very few images (but I live very locally so would be easy to see in person/test if a scam) and the fact there is a pretty long gap on the MOT, which I imagine is due to the car being SORNed.

I'm also not too familiar with these trucks mechanically/electrically (although I plan to learn and do as much of the maintenance myself as possible), so was wondering if any of the past fails/advisories were a major cause for concern.

Cheers in advance, and if there's anything I've missed, please let me know.

EDIT - plate is unclear on the image, it is G308 GEY

Splashcat said:

It's a bit of a high miler (240k)

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At that age mileage is not relevant and you need to buy on conditions. Firstly of chassis and bulkhead, secondly on mechanicals. I have over 400k on my ‘89 110. But only a few body panels have actually done all of that mileage

Splashcat said:

although I plan to learn and do as much of the maintenance myself as possible

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There is no easier vehicle to learn on. And that’s exactly what I did. Bought at 18 as a student with no money so was forced to learn to maintain and repair it myself buying the tools needed as I went.

A long gap between lots is not a red flag for a vehicle like this of this age. As long as there are no advisories for corrosion that have not been rectified very little you will get advised on a mot is difficult or expensive to repair on an old defender.

Just so you know, if you didn't already, they never made a 1989 300tdi.
Post the advert and check it has a vin number relevant to the vehicle.
It is highly likely it will have rust, you just have to find it.

It looks nice in the picture. However, look beyond the paintwork, alloys and steps. Make sure it’s not just tarted up. The engine is not original. It’s most likely from a disco 1. What does the seller consider a nasty repair? If the chassis and bulkhead are original, they will have had or likely need repair at some point. Check the MoT history to give a clue where issues have been found although rust will be more extensive than you think if you do find any as chassis and bulkheads rust from the inside. Take someone with you who knows landies when you view it.

Thats either had a lot of work done to it or there’s a lot of 300tdi parts on it.

Check vin & number on chassis

Hicap phill said:

Thats either had a lot of work done to it or there’s a lot of 300tdi parts on it.

Check vin & number on chassis

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I reckon it's a 300tdi
We shall see if the chassis number exists with no welding in that area.
Maybe the OP can provide a photo of the chassis number stamped on the chassis.

Welcome

Don’t take a sellers word there is no “serious” rust.
Don’t be taken in cos it looks “pretty “ on top.

As above mentioned numbers need to match car and V5, not just the plate but the stamped chassis number, And taking somebody who knows LRs with a little hammer, is worth the cost of tea and cake.

Mechanical stuff is easier to sort than rusty stuff.

Good luck let us know how you get on, but don’t just jump in if you are not sure or have questions.

J

Thank you all for your advice. The MOT history shows no advisories for any rust, although I'm not sure how much that can be trusted, as I'm aware of at least one other Landy nearby being an absolute bucket but having 0 advisories due to a dodgy local garage.

I will ask the seller about chassis number and VIN and see if they can get back to me. I'll also ask about whether there has been an engine swap in the past, or if they're mistaken.

There is a Landy specialist near me who I reckon I can get to come with me to do an inspection, as I do know very little beyond the obvious in terms of what to look for.

I am also slightly concerned about my use case for the car. Right now I daily a 2019 Fiesta, which of course is very different in terms of driving experience and refinement, and I'm a university student, so I do need something that is at least somewhat reliable and can handle group trips out (sadly the house's designated driver). From what I've read, they're perfectly daily-able, and would serve me well for any camping/fishing trips, but I just worry about my general uni life usage.

Cheers for all the advice/knowledge, and I'll update you all once I've heard back from the seller. (I hope this somehow alerts you that I've responded, as I felt better doing one long message rather than individually replying/quoting you all, sorry.)

It is not an 89 truck. Many features mark it as noted above as a 300tdi. If Vin and V5 say so very likely it's a ringer.

All of the above responses are very relevant and should be considered very carefully. But you say you want a vehicle for group outings. If so, a 90 isn’t for you. Your first post mentions it has a cubby box, so that’s only two up front. If it has any seating in the back, it’s likely to be side inward facing bench seats. These don’t have seat belts and are very cramped and uncomfortable, so only suitable for short hops in my opinion.

Agree with the above, it may well have seating for four in the back but only if those seated on one side have legs.
If you are a youngster I would strongly suggest an insurance quote would be wise, infact regardless of age get a qoute first.

Anaconda said:

Agree with the above, it may well have seating for four in the back but only if those seated on one side have legs.
If you are a youngster I would strongly suggest an insurance quote would be wise, infact regardless of age get a qoute first.

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Completely agree with the above. A 90 can carry people, things, or the dog. But can only do one at a time. And as mentioned any more than 4 people and it becomes cramped and uncomfortable. If you want to carry more than one thing form the list you need a 110.

tottot said:

It is not an 89 truck. Many features mark it as noted above as a 300tdi. If Vin and V5 say so very likely it's a ringer.

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I also have concerns and would want to check the chassis number etc. however I myself have an ‘89 that has lots of parts from later modes. All of my electrical system, dash and bulkhead are 300tdi as are several other parts. However mine has been repeatedly extensively rebuilt and I have a huge file of invoices and the last two rebuilds documented on here to prove it is a genuine vehicle.

Splashcat said:

am also slightly concerned about my use case for the car. Right now I daily a 2019 Fiesta, which of course is very different in terms of driving experience and refinement, and I'm a university student, so I do need something that is at least somewhat reliable and can handle group trips out (sadly the house's designated driver). From what I've read, they're perfectly daily-able, and would serve me well for any camping/fishing trips, but I just worry about my general uni life usage.

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What are you concerned about by having a landrover for general uni life? I bought my 110 when I was 18 with the very first instalment of my student loan. Best investment I ever made in my opinion. I than had it as my only vehicle through university until my third year when I then spent my student loan on a series three so I had a spare Land Rover when the first required work (both were rolling restoration catagory). They are perfectly capable of being a daily drive as a student. You can load people into the back for adventure. You can load mountain bikes, diving kit, what ever other adventure sports you do, into the back of them and disappear for the weekend into the lakes/moutons/beach. They are capable of the journeys home etc. I still run mine as a daily drive doing 25k miles a year.

The somewhat reliable part is the only bit I cannot fully defend. Running it on a shoe string budget as a student I became very good at scouring eBay, spares days etc for cheap used parts to renovate or fit because they were better than what I had. I also spent plenty of time working on it in the halls/placement accommodation car park, as well as on the street outside my student house. As I mentioned above no better vehicle to learn on. And no better motivation to learn yourself than being a skint student and getting a quote from the local Garage to fix it.

As someone mentioned above check what the price of insurance is going to be. Even when I bought mine in 2008 the cost of the years insurance was the same as the purchase price!