dag019
Well-Known Member
I asked a similar question in the summer as I started my search for a station wagon. As long as you know what you are looking for on a defender to check them thoroughly yourself (I would do this even with a dealer one) your best bet is Facebook/ebay for private sales. If you don’t know what you are looking for yourself people on here who are local might be willing to go with you to have a look over it, I had several offers for vehicles that were not local to me. For old defenders as a rough rule of thumb dealer vehicles are unlikely to be better than private sales but are more likely to have had the top side tarted up to look nice and more likely to be a higher price. It is the conditions of the chassis and bulkhead that is more important followed by the mechanicals. How shiny the bodywork is or how clean the carpets are should be the least of your worries as they are easy and cheap to improve.
RustyDefender
Well-Known Member
T&T Motors have a big selection.. bought from them in the past, they're pretty straight up and honest and their mentality is like "come look during the day when it's light so you know what you're buying", so you'll just have to know what you're looking for, rust etc.
You just have to keep looking on all the usual places. If you can't find a decent one in your budget then you will need to up your budget or accept you will need to do some work.on it.
Actually you will probably have to do some work regardless of budget.
Have fun looking.
Actually you will probably have to do some work regardless of budget.
Have fun looking.
dag019
Well-Known Member
This ^^
Whatever you pay be prepared to pay so e more for maintainence/problems you discover. However if you are not already mechanically inclined they are the perfect vehicle to learn on and if you are, other than being big heavy and rusty, they are a very easy and basic vehicle to work on!
I take it you have looked on here?
At least you will get an honest 1.
We have actually had 2 LRs from Walton but it was a few years ago when they were alot smaller and maybe cared.
Still got them too, although 1 is now a spares car.
J
I have not yet looked on here, but I will do. A private sale is probably the way forward.
They are the only dealer that regularly shows photos of the chassis condition of their vehicles in the ads, which is an honest approach, which does not gel with some of the reviews I’m seeing.
I haven’t worked on vehicles for many years but not afraid to start doing so again and have most of the tools I would need. I’d get a lot of pleasure from maintaining my own vehicle again. Never welded before so this might have to be outsourced unless I go on a welding course!
In a way you are better off looking now than a couple of years ago when I was looking.
A lot were getting sold the moment the advert was live, quite often unseen and dealers were also falling over each other buying everything up then sticking £3k on top the following week.
I also discounted the two places you mention and most other dealers come to think of it.
Bought one from a nice gentleman on Ebay in the end.
Defender2.net often have some for sale.
A lot were getting sold the moment the advert was live, quite often unseen and dealers were also falling over each other buying everything up then sticking £3k on top the following week.
I also discounted the two places you mention and most other dealers come to think of it.
Bought one from a nice gentleman on Ebay in the end.
Defender2.net often have some for sale.
dag019
Well-Known Member
Welding is not essential and is something that can be outsourced. I did this for a while and then did a collage welding course one evening a week which has more than paid for itself since. But even without being able to weld nearly everything else is basic tools and nut and bolt jobs.
It’s all about budget. I have about £15k to spend and reckon I would still need to spend on repairs and improvements after the initial spend. I understand that condition of chassis and bulkhead are really important.
You should be alright for £15k.
Check all the chassis carefully, it can rust out pretty much anywhere. Bulkhead can do the same and along the bottom of the doors.
Usual mechanical checks and oil leaks.
Post up any adverts if you would like opinions on them.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
There are loads for sale, the UK isn't that big to travel around though, so going a few hours drive to look at one should be more than reasonable. Remember you are going to buy, not to make friends with the seller. So why care about reviews. Just inspect the vehicle properly before buying and make sure you are happy with the price vs condition vs spec.
Defenders are very simple vehicles, making them one of the easiest vehicles to inspect.
Mine is going on there shortly
Dr Strangeglove
Well-Known Member
Not sure if this is any use. Milage looks high perhaps and sounds like it needs new doors.
Not sure if this is any use. Milage looks high perhaps and sounds like it needs new doors.
Thanks, I’ll go to the site and have a look.
dag019
Well-Known Member
every defender needs new doors. the only ones that don't are the ones that have just been replaced!
Not sure if this is any use. Milage looks high perhaps and sounds like it needs new doors.
