Hi All,

New member on this forum, and thanks for the information so far. Previously had a number of Defenders but looking for something comfortable and more family friendly, that can drag the daughter's pony around the rallies.

I have been searching for the right one for a few weeks, I've missed a couple of good ones, and seen a number of not so good ones, but think i've settled for a low mile 14 year old example and have made a deposit. First viewing was very positive, everything works, FSH, the interior is outstanding but could do with a tidy up cosmetically on the paint and wheels, which i'm fine with. No mods, engine/gbox/suspension all appears sound with a warranty too. Mileage appears genuine and stacks with the history/mot.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11647261

I'd be very interested if anyone fancies adding any advice? Or if i'm missing anything glaringly obvious on this one?[/img]

Last edited by Windydog on Fri May 14 2021 8:16am. Edited 1 time in total

Nice mileage + decent service history MOT history looks not too bad either , I bought the same model 2 years ago privately with 85,000 miles 2007 model also with an excellent service history, find yourself a good independent for servicing/repairs and you won't go wrong , just be prepared to spend a bit at first and simply keep on top with servicing the only problems I've had are with the central locking actuators all replaced now these are a common problem.

It's missing a whole heap of services. They are 15k miles or 12 months, whichever comes sooner. But then looking at the MOT history, it did 30k miles in the first 3 years and then hardly any miles each year for quite some time. These things don't like sitting around. But it does at least have matching tyres, the bodywork hasn't been colour coded or modded as far as you can see. And it's still got its spare wheel which is good to see.

At that price, it's probably not a bad punt, so long as you've got some spare cash to stay on top of the maintenance. You get protection through law with them being a trader, so there's some comfort there.

The TDV8 is a cracking motor too.

Quote:

MOT history
Check mileage recorded at test, MOT expiry date, defects and advisories, and view test certificate


Date tested
5 October 2020
PASS
View test certificate
Mileage
49,661 miles
MOT test number
1555 7633 7107
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
28 October 2021
Date tested
9 October 2019
PASS
View test certificate
Mileage
47,815 miles
MOT test number
3415 3176 5429
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
28 October 2020
Date tested
29 October 2018
PASS
View test certificate
Mileage
45,412 miles
MOT test number
4351 1553 1116
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
28 October 2019
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))
What are advisories?
The MOT test changed on 20 May 2018
Defects are now categorised according to their severity – dangerous, major, and minor. Find out more

Date tested
11 October 2017
PASS
Mileage
43,508 miles
MOT test number
7930 8264 1952
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
28 October 2018
Date tested
29 October 2016
PASS
Mileage
41,759 miles
MOT test number
1158 6634 0112
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
28 October 2017
Date tested
26 September 2015
PASS
Mileage
40,054 miles
MOT test number
4124 2213 0850
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
3 October 2016
Date tested
4 October 2014
PASS
Mileage
39,110 miles
MOT test number
7485 4767 4291
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
3 October 2015
Date tested
6 September 2013
PASS
Mileage
37,997 miles
MOT test number
9667 3964 3289
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
6 September 2014
Date tested
7 September 2012
PASS
Mileage
36,346 miles
MOT test number
5294 5185 2230
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
6 September 2013
Advisory notice item(s)
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
both rear tyres "bold" on side
What are advisories?
Date tested
1 September 2011
PASS
Mileage
34,100 miles
MOT test number
3186 4404 1469
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
31 August 2012
Date tested
28 June 2011
PASS
Mileage
33,657 miles
MOT test number
4078 2997 1166
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
7 July 2012
Advisory notice item(s)
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
offside front washer jet not working on one side
o/s/f n/s/f n/s/r o/s/r tyres all worn on outer edges
tinted windows o/s/f n/s/f n/s/r o/s/r conform
What are advisories?
Date tested
5 July 2010
PASS
Mileage
30,614 miles
MOT test number
7209 7658 0143
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
7 July 2011
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
What are advisories?

Thank you, I do appreciate the candid advice. I think that's where i'm at too. Eyes wide open, I'm budgeted for £15k on this purchase but struggling to find a better all round deal than this. The TDV8 is a very interesting proposition, surprised how dominant it sounds and feels in this truck, different character to the V6s, and even the same in the FFRR.

I think its 2 owner, which would explain the first 3 years of mileage, and then not much after.

Dealer is replacing the EGRs at request, it has a previous fault code for these, and most fluids, but i'll do the diffs and gearbox as precautionary and put it on a ramp for the brake lines and undercarriage inspection. I suspect an Italian tune up and long run may be all that it needs, but belt and braces perhaps and view the EGRs as service items. Wheels and tyres are 275/40/20 and hope these wheels are original, kerbing suggests so, oddly one (left front) is matching for tread, but different brand, so will likely swap out the spare and finish the matching set.

Central locking seems good and tried them all, but appreciate that word of caution. I'm lined up with a local mechanic who has a number of RRS on his books.

Service history is good for the most part, LRMD in the same London place until 2017, then nothing for 3 years before an inspection at the same dealer in 20. I have a suspicion it was done at a specialist for those 3 years according to anecdote, but with no docs, it's a risk.

Certainly never towed or been off road, it just looks like an honest city RRS that can be put to work more rurally and looked after well.

By chance - the tow bar is not present, so am looking at a LR removable ball and fitting a 7 pin kit, if anyone has a good experience about how to do this better, I again, would appreciate advice here.

The TDV8's one issue is the turbos. It's not the end of the world although it's a few grand to replace them both. Other than that, it's the same as any other RRS.

For space packaging reasons, the turbos are placed lower than would be ideally wanted so they have a unique oil feed/drain system to them. An additional rotor on the vacuum pump is used to scavenge oil away from the turbos. There are also two sump plugs which should be removed when draining the oil. Often only one is done. The second one is part of the additional turbo oil system. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks, that's helpful.

I've learnt a little about the turbo issues, not a simple procedure by the looks of it when they go, and the separate plug makes sense about why the failure rate is what it is. I'd have missed that.

Edit to add - i've passed up on this one. EGRs are not fixed, and I didn't think much of the Director. So back on the hunt.....

In fairness, the EGRs aren't the problem on the TDV8 that they are on the TDV6. No idea why. My old TDV8 had the EGRs replaced at silly miles but only because they were taking it apart to replace some injectors. That was north of 150k miles on the original EGRs.

I have to say that if I was looking to buy an L320 RRS, I'd have the TDV8 every time. Yes, the supercharged is faster when really pressed, but otherwise, the TDV8 is the best engine they ever fitted to the L320. It's really worth looking out for the best one that you can find. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Guide to fitting twin electrics, single much the same except single! https://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic29704.html

Removable works fine, towed loads of stuff up/down motorway to Ireland/back. There is a recall out for the receiver though, so best to see if that's been checked, if not do so.

I did choose in the end to put on a Trust TL1 fixed, which has slightly better ground clearance than the LR fixed one. I do tow quite a bit, so for my own peace of mind changed over.

I fitted the Tow Trust removeable system to mine. But only because I don't want bruised shins from the bar sticking out. I might change it to the fixed one in time if the removeable one shows signs of movement. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I'm onto RRS number 7 by now, and found a newer one, more budget, but facelift TDV8. Private sale on Autotrader 2010 TDV8 up at 13850. Hopefully seeing it this week, after a long chat with the seller and it checks out well so far. VRN is actually AK-10 -LOA on this one

Ref the EGRs, that's useful. I guess the bigger concern are the turbos, and what you say is encouraging, I thought we were still looking at £5k+ to get these replaced, hence i thought 'id need to have this available in the car fund

For a private sale that seems pretty pricey to me. My 2010 TDV8 with 57K miles only cost me £12k in April 2019. I would expect most private sales to be £11k or less now for a 2010. 2010 TDV8 - current - my first RRS, loving it so far......
2005 Cayenne S - handling defied physics and what a sound, so sod the mpg!
1995 Disco TDI- surprisingly reliable, shame about the peeling dash & other trim
Lots of other non 4X4's in between times.........

I had heard the Turbo issue when I bought my TDV8 so when I had it serviced by a recommended indie in Peterborough I asked his advice on the cost of replacement if required, he reckons around £3,000 but he also stressed how important regular oil changes are to protect them .

Certainly nothing to worry about on the MOT front , I've had brake pipes replaced on mine amongst the service history that I received with it , I too looked at several before buying mine some of them had a dreadful MOT history, which gives a very good indication to how well the vehicle has been looked after.

Boxers wrote:

I had heard the Turbo issue when I bought my TDV8 so when I had it serviced by a recommended indie in Peterborough I asked his advice on the cost of replacement if required, he reckons around £3,000 but he also stressed how important regular oil changes are to protect them .