Looking at a Defender Friday... Advice?

[ubcpsyc]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at a 300tdi Defender 110 Friday and then getting it inspected next week.

Is there anything that I should be looking for that I can pick up on as a non mechanic.

I guess any amount of rust is a deal breaker? Any thing in particular to look at it the engine or the undercarriage? Underneath the carpeting which might be hiding something?

Thanks. Exciting times as this is my first Defender (second LR). Trying not to get guided by emotion which is always the trouble with these things!

Thanks ahead of time!

[Crs]

If you're getting an inspection (and that's a really good idea), I would think it need to just be the obvious stuff. Corrosion. Bulkhead and rear cross member are favourites, but pay attention everywhere. How does the car drive? That will tell you a lot about whether things are working. Considering that Defenders are DIY favourites, a few google searches should give you a lot to go on.

[red90]

It should pull up to 110 km/h fairly well and be smooth and stable and stop well. On rust, you are looking for serious rust. There is almost always surface rust as the chassis and bulkhead and not exactly well painted.... If you do not know which parts are steel and which are aluminum, it is best to make sure the inspector knows Land Rovers.

[Bill E.]

All good advice from the others. Defenders are prone to rust on the body corner between the windscreen/ventflaps/upper door hinges. Older trucks have often been repaired here. Bondo may have been the method of repair used but some do a better job and use replacement weld-in corner pieces, take a magnet with you. Also if you are looking at a five-door pay special attention to the area behind the rear side doors and underneath the vehicle at the additional crossmember used on five-doors in this area. These pieces are unique to five-doors and seem particularly prone to rotting away completely. The alloy panel just aft of the angled part of the rear side door on five doors is heavily riveted in place and is usually bubbling with corrosion or has been covered over with aluminum checker plate. Beware checker plate in general except perhaps on the front wing tops. Foot wells on all Land-Rovers can be suspect areas for corrosion and the area at the top of the foot well around the brake and clutch master cylinders can be in rough shape because spilled brake fluid eats away the paint in the engine compartment and rust is never far behind. None of this stuff is necessarily a deal breaker but will definitely influence what you should pay. Honest rust (within limits of course) is better than hidden rot IMHO. Good Luck.