We have had a 2008 Freelander 2 GS TD4 for a few years but she failed her MOT in December due to a rotted rear subframe. Gutted was an understatement. She's not given us a bit of bother and is a dream to drive but at 192,000 miles and us driving in excess of 2000 a month (live out in the sticks) we weren't sure the potential 2k bill we had been quoted was worth it?? After a lot of pondering we decided to buy another Freelander 2 - an S TD4 E this time. It looked very tidy, had almost all the service history and had almost half the miles of our other one. The garage supposedly fully serviced it, replaced all 4 brake discs and pads and it had a fresh MOT. We collected it and drove the 50+ miles home and it literally felt like a bag of spanners. Didn't feel solid like our other one, had a lot of rattles and we were very much regretting our decision almost immediately! Within days it became apparent the central locking only worked when it felt like it (I'd faffed for ages when we viewed and it hadn't given any issues), the front passenger door had to be unlocked manually. We noticed a leak ..which swiftly became multiple leaks...from the front and back! I parked up one time with the wheels turned out and noticed that the inside of the front tyres was pure smooth (they looked like 4x fairly new tyres without getting under the arches to inspect) and the middle of the tyres was going the same way and it was only on taking the car to our trusted service centre because, along with the leak, the back rear passenger side sounded like a cross between a hum.and a bang I thought something was gonna fall off...so they popped it up on the lift for us. We discovered the rear diff was leaking significantly and not only that the rear subframe was shockingly corroded and was very quickly headed the same way as our old Fifi, our trusted first Freelander 2. I snapped pics, contacted the garage we bought it from and without much of an argument at all we were given a refund. I see they've now got it back up for sale, same price, only 3 days after returning it. Gutted is an understatement. We drive a lot of miles and found our other Freelander to be a totally reliable, comfy joy to drive and it's such a shame we weren't as lucky the second time round. It's clean put us off trying again for another one. There are loads on the road around the area in which we live but I have noticed a number up for sale currently all with rotted rear subframes. I swear the same bloke at the MOT place has something against them and enjoys poking his stick in them and making holes!! Were we exceptionally lucky with our first Freelander? Are there certain years that the subframes are prone to rot? Am I the only one who thinks the garage are pretty low to put it straight back up for sale knowing the condition of the subframe and that the new owner will be lucky if it passes the next MOT?!

I would say any Freelander from 2007 -08 -09 and possibly 2010 if the rear subframe as not been looked after and treated, will by now maybe need a new one at the cost of about £500 add another £300 to fit it if you can not do it your self, going forward all of us whom own them will need to do this job sooner or later.

Don't let it put you off finding a good one there are lots out there that are good, why go for an E one anyways ? regarding the subframes i suspect those that live in areas where slat on the roads is more abundant you stand more chance of corroded subframes, buy one from the South of England

Everything is relative.

I see pics of the underside of UK cars and cringe when compared to my NZ new 26 year old Freelander that looks in relatively pristine condition.

Looking through the cars for sale here, occasionally they have the speedo in MPH. They would have been imported from the UK when their owners emigrated here. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!

Funnily enough there's a UK F1 for sale here at the mo...


Various questions, including "Hi has the vehicle been on the beach or exposed to salt water at all?" to which the answer was "No, it’s been a country manner vehicle, there’s no Salt erosion" - that's a complete lie - it's been through 4 UK winters.

However, if you're in the UK, you have to expect to replace and repair rusted out bits (on all cars). As suggested, the farther north, the more repairs. Unless you can get a Jap import.

Yep - they are known to have issues with the rear subframes rotting on older models sadly. Looked after engines are good for 250+ miles.
Luckily, you can buy brand new subframes yourself easily, as @Arctic2 mentions. They are not too difficult to fit yourself, if you have a little bit of experience at DIY and some tools and time.
I did this exact job myself last autumn on my F2. Ok, it took me a week off and on, but I was in no rush, and replaced a lot of other parts whilst doing it. The result is a known-history (which is the real important bit here) 2009 F2 that will last a long time to come.

The guy at the test station even said that he sees a lot with rusted out subframes, and was quite impressed with the work done!

Can you get your old girl back and look at getting the repair done?
Where are you based?

Sometimes it's better to stick with a reliable vehicle you know, especially for a relatively easy rear subframe replacement. The parts are cheap ish, and labour shouldn't be much for a few hours work.
I know you're old Freelander has gone, but most FL2s of this age will be suffering from subframe rot.
Buy another based on condition of the rest of the vehicle, then have the subframe replaced if needed.