Going to look at one tomorrow. 2010 car done about 100k miles. Cam belt done on time. Looks ok in pix. Diligent owner and full history file.

What should I look out for specifically? Any key weaknesses?

Thanks for any tips. Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

Last edited by A1GSS on Mon Jan 09 2023 10:50am. Edited 1 time in total

Just the usual "make sure everything works", really.

Most won't be used off road and so will likely never have had the suspension raised and lowered nor the transfer box changed between high and low ranges. Worth making sure these work, also make sure the centre diff locks - put the 4x4 info screen up, put the transfer box in low range, select rock crawl on Terrain Response, you should see the centre diff start to lock on the 4x4 screen.

Sure, you may never want to use these things either, but if they don't work properly now then they will become an issue at some point - the centre diff lock is used in slippery conditions on road, for example, and you'd like that to be working in such conditions. Stressing the suspension compressor by lowering to access height and then raising to normal and then off road height will indicate if the compressor is weak - the system ought to be able to do the double lift. You might get a "slow raising" warning which is indicative of a weak compressor / leak somewhere.

Good look underneath for leaks - especially around the anti-roll bars (assuming they are the hydraulic type). Check for leaks around the rear diff seals, check for leaks from the transfer box output shafts - the front one particularly. If the vehicle has the dynamic suspension option (the twisty road option on Terrain Response) check for leaks around the rear damper reservoir - it's at the bottom of the damper and easily visible by looking under the rear of the car. They're £500+ a corner and need changing if they're leaking.

Hopefully it will be cold enough to get the FBH kicking in when you start the engine - check that it does start if the external temperature is below about 6deg C. Hopefully it will also be cold enough to check that the glow plugs are making starting easy. Not so obvious unless it's properly cold, however.

Take a multi-meter and check the battery and the voltages before and during engine running. You'd like high 12s when not running (max charge is about 12.7-12.8V) and around 14.5V when idling. A low battery might be indicative of short journeys which isn't great for the vehicle.

When you pull away on your test drive, a dab on the brakes at walking pace will give a clunk of the lower arm bushes are worn. At 100k miles they probably are. Make sure the parking brake applies and releases without squeals or other noises (a slight sighing noise is OK).

Otherwise the usual second hand car stuff. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Wow that’s really helpful thank you 😊

Just been to see the car. Interesting. Mechanically it's in great shape, everything works properly (even the FBH!), backed up by a huge sheaf of receipts for work going back 10 years. Cosmetically it's a bit challenged but that's fixable with a detailing. Wheels are in poor condition, new rims needed I think.

Going into the local LR Indie on Wednesday for a full inspection. Vendor says he'll fix anything that comes up. So I'm hopeful this might come home with me.

More tomorrow.

Last edited by A1GSS on Tue Jan 03 2023 1:46pm. Edited 1 time in total

Sounds like a good car to me, especially if it’s getting the once over by an indie and anything needed will be done. I had a 2012 L320 before my current L494 and didn’t have any problems with it in my 2 years of ownership. Remember to post some pics if you buy it.

Hi John, yes thanks, good to hear. We had a D3 for years, very similar of course, that was an excellent machine.

Ref pix - will do!

Should know by end of Wednesday whether it's OK.

Last edited by A1GSS on Tue Jan 03 2023 1:46pm. Edited 1 time in total

If the oily stuff is in good nick, the cosmetic stuff is an easy "fix if you want to". A few scratches on the panels don't lead to waiting on the side of the road for a rescue.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

That is exactly what I was thinking too. Bit of a project to make it look its best again.

OK, bit of an update on this.

The Indie inspection of this car yielded only the observation that the suspension compressor was on its way out, so true to his word the vendor has had that replaced at his expense, being fitted today.

Ramp inspection by me tomorrow then the test drive. All being well (no issues expected now) should be coming home tomorrow afternoon.

What could possibly go wrong.  Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

That’s good news then. Sounds like a good car that’s obviously been looked after by it’s previous owner.

Just need to find a warranty now that will cover you if the crank snaps ?

Tried a few. Probably gonna be hard to get one at 12 years old. The usual players are out. Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

Bought the car, came home with me last night. Seems in pretty good all round shape given its age and mileage. The history file includes every single service and repair receipt from new. Interior needs quite a lot of work to get it properly clean but the exterior is better than I first thought. Wheels are off to the reburbishers next week. Overall very pleased.

Couple of pix.




 Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

Looks very smart

A1GSS wrote:

Cosmetically it's a bit challenged but that's fixable with a detailing. Wheels are in poor condition, new rims needed I think.

Looks pretty tidy in the pics