WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A LAND ROVER DEFENDER!

This video is not about the 2020 Land Rover Defender but the original model. Watch this to see my experience of buying a used TD5 defender - what you should look for and what to avoid!
With so many used Defenders on the market it is a challenge to find a good one. I chose to buy a 2007 TD5 Defender - watch my journey here.
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Quick Links for parts:
INTERIOR
SILENT COAT (Stage 1 of sound deadening) --- ebay.us/9fQycw
DODO MATTING (Stage 2 of sound deadening) --- ebay.us/Wp6fJp
EXMOOR TRIM CARPET (Stage 3 of sound deadening) --- ebay.us/76Lt05
FRONT SEAT BOLTS --- ebay.us/vn1I11
RUBBER MATTING --- amzn.to/3qnqTPr
CARPET TRIM --- amzn.to/3qzX2Du
EXTERIOR
MUDFLAPS --- ebay.us/GJIOYP
SIDE VENT --- ebay.us/Kdzy3Z
CAR PAINT KESWICK --- ebay.us/Eo4DNh
NUT & BOLT LUBRICANT --- ebay.us/Fod5UR
BLACK DEFENDER LETTERING --- ebay.us/BjSW2m
UNION JACK BADGE --- ebay.us/osLiUU
ANTI CORROSION SPRAY --- ebay.us/k6aUGQ
*BLACK LR EMBLEM * --- ebay.us/TaWZ3w
DOOR HINGES --- ebay.us/dMgzrT
FRONT BONNET VENTS --- amzn.to/3jX3AcN
STAINLESS STEEL BOLT REPLACEMENT KIT ---- ebay.us/Ou631T
CROSSMEMBER PRIMER --- ebay.us/acgDVc
CROSSMEMBER TOUGH BLACK TOPCOAT --- ebay.us/cMGpii
TYRES --- tinyurl.com/5s...
For easy access to more parts that I buy for my Discovery and Defender mentioned in my videos, please visit my Amazon shop! HERE - tinyurl.com/1i...
This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video. We earn a small percentage from items purchased via an affiliate link which helps support the channel but don't worry, there will be no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
#afflink

[@Fireman9ify]

I have a 2007 puma keswick green 90 pickup, with a black roof. I have it 3 years with no real problems, I had a blue td5 pickup before that. I use the defender on the farm, the puma has a lighter clutch, better heater and as you said a lot better on the road. I always think if the bulkhead and the chassis aren't rusty, everthing else can be sorted pretty cheaply. Don't go for a vehicle if it has been farmed, probably done a lot of towing. Watch for rust on the bottom of td5 doors, the puma,s have galvanised doors. Td5 door are easily dented around handles etc. Most defenders panels will look a bit wavey as they are aliminum as they are basically pop rivted. They are good vehicle and parts are cheap and easy got. I waxoyl mine every 12 to 24 months depending on the weather. It is a good idea to pressure hose under the body and around the chassis and rear crossmemeber after the winter, lots of traps to retain grit and salt and cause corrison. Great video.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks Mick- sorry I must have missed your comment previously - yes great idea - I am actually thinking of waxoiling my defender this summer- do you bother steam cleaning it beforehand?

[@julianchubb7492]

lovely looking car,. I have an early 90 which has basically been re built my only comment is to do cost research including garage time for what you can't do. As you state your vehicle is one of the last TD5's and is coming up to 14 years old! it is safe to assume that in the next couple of years chassis, doors and bulk head work will be required. I would suggest that anyone looking at a CSW 90 end of project will end up spending minimum of £10K+ donor vehicle to get to where your vehicle is.So the best option in my opinion is to look for a pre TD5 for sub £4k even if its failed its MOT with a view to a full rebuild. Chassis are readily available as are bulkheads which can come galvanised as can replacement doors discovery donor axles can be sourced from breakers (axle casings tend to be poor with very old models)

[@thedoctorsgarage]

That’s good advice- I’m hoping to preserve as much as I can but you’re right so many parts can be replaced it almost makes sense to buy cheap and redo most of it. I need to coat my chassis with something to help it last a little longer

[@chriss4925]

Thanks for sharing your Defender experience. I've only had sports cars or BMW M cars my entire life and went in a different direction. I got my late model puma 110 SW about a year and half ago now. Took me 2 years to find "the one". It's also a Ultimate Urban modified version. I knew what I wanted for my Defender, a 110 with all the right mods. One of the later models, soundproofed, engine tuned, bigger wheels, modern lights, Recaro seats, Alcantara roof lining, a bit extra leather trim, Momo wheel, Bilstein suspension and handling kit, upgraded stereo with Apple car play etc. That was the core of the wish list and I found it all at the right time and at the right price. A year and half down the line I'm still loving it (it's my daily) and hope never to sell it. Maybe a LS3 or electric engine conversion in 10 years time? Enjoy yours Sir and hope to see you modifying yours further to fit your lifestyle.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks for your comment Chris- your Defender sounds amazing with that spec list! Have been looking at new seats for mine- the Recaro’s do look the best- do you find them comfortable??

[@chriss4925]

@@thedoctorsgarage I’ve had lots of sports cars in the past with Recaro or similar type seats so I’m very used to them. I do find them the most comfortable seats. They hold you in so no moving about in corners or off road. I love them and wouldn’t hesitate to get them despite the cost. The version for Defender is Recaro Cross Sportster CS. They have lower side bolsters as the Defender is high up, you climb over the seat to get in. Sports car versions have higher bolster where you drop down into them if that makes sense. Mine also have the seat bottom that’s removable so you can get to the battery or fuses underneath. Mine are also heated. You won’t regret it if you upgrade. They also look bloody awesome. Happy modding.

[@2702simmo]

Quality video Just bought a TD5 after selling a 300tdi in April that I missed Got a million jobs to do but you’re lights and grill have inspired me

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks Simmo! Really glad to hear you liked the video. How do you like the TD5 compared to the 300tdi?

[@2702simmo]

@@thedoctorsgarage the engines much pokier and a tad smoother. I need to get a couple of bits sorted first as it’s over revving and stuff which is getting on my nerves. Once that’s sorted I’ll be able to compare properly.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Getting it sound deadened will make a huge difference to the feel of the Defender at speed. It’s not cheap to have it done properly but if it’s your daily it’s worth it.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks for the comment Jabber- I have done it since and have a video on it here on my channel! Thanks for watching

[@caryfielder3796]

Great video Marcus. I got a Puma 2.2 last summer, I had kept hearing about the Output shaft seal being a common thing that needs replacement at some point. Mine had done 24k before it needed it so its one of those things to ask about when buying a Defender i.e see if paperwork exists detailing this. Its not a massively expensive job but still c.£400-500 and while thats being done it makes sense for the transmission seal to be done at same time....the parts are cheap, its the labour that racks up the bill. Just a thought for anyone considering a Defender.

[@markmcc1]

I have a 97 D90 SW (NAS). I have found that the rust isn't really an issue until something needs to be fixed / upgraded then it really seems to complicate even simple things, like replacing the rear threshold. I recently upgraded my suspension and brakes and I'd say it took twice as long to complete.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Suspension upgrade makes a huge difference - have recently done this

[@Diamond_Hanz]

A cosmetic doctor that covers up a rust bucket. Makes sense

[@thedoctorsgarage]

😂😂

[@TheBlueOwl21]

Really like the look of your Cooper tyres, I was going to buy some BF Goodrich all terrain but now thinking about the Coopers ? How do they compare with road tyres with regard to noise and performance.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks! I’m not sure how the mud terrain BFGs compare to these but I can say for the Coopers the road noise really isn’t that bad- you hear the hum at around 55mph (along with everything else in a defender!) performance wise I’ve had no issues- great off road and on road - bit slippy in the wet but not bad at all. Personally I think the Cooper STT Pros look a little more aggressive than the BFG equivalents.

[@matijakovacic1730]

These are Mud Terrain, so comparing BFG All Terrain is apples and oranges. There is some road noise in straight line from about 70km/h up, but there is quite some tyre noise while cornering from low speeds on. These are not road tyres and they behave accordingly - buying them just for the looks is a waste of rubber and performance, but if you buy them for serious offroad, they change the vehicle completely going from all terrains.

[@WingTipAviation]

Ur gonna have a mil subs if u keep it up with these videos

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks! I’ve got a long way to go! 🙏🏼

[@tonypacke6954]

That's a really nice truck. I own a 2015 Puma 110XS and although the bodywork is almost pristine, the underneath originally looked like yours does. Mostly caused by off road use and not jet washing all the mud that got trapped underneath. Over the course of the lock-down I cleaned and rust converted most of the suspension items and painted with Corroless black chassis paint :-www.arc-rite.co.uk/corroless-glass-reinforced-black-rustproofing-rust-killer-chassis-paint-choose-size-2167-p followed up by Dinitrol rust preservatives. A very messy job but if you can do yourself so much the better. It's definitely worth doing if you are going to keep the truck. These trucks start rusting as they are driven off the assembly line! Great videos as usual.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks Tony- really useful tips on the underneath- it’s something I really need to get doing this year to protect it - will look in to these items

[@the2ndprince...]

I see ur God from the machine hat... i had to take 5 yrs of Latin so I'm quite familiar with the term.

[@kayedal-haddad]

Where did you purchase it from? And how much did you pay for it?

[@kayedal-haddad]

@@thedoctorsgarage I am looking to purchase a 90 TD5 myself at that colour; however, trying to find a good one at below 20K is posing to be very difficult! How much have you spent on it since you bought it?

[@thedoctorsgarage]

@@kayedal-haddad completely agree- I set a search alert on auto trader and checked it for month before something I wanted came up. I have spent around 3k on it since ownership but have done quite a lot of cosmetic work myself. Keswick green is an unusual colour on the TD5’s- you have to be looking out for a late 2006/early 2007 to get it factory colour in an TD5. My other preference was Atlantic Green- look great in this colour too

[@kayedal-haddad]

@@thedoctorsgarage Do you have an Instagram page that I could follow you on?

[@kayedal-haddad]

www.banburymotors.co.uk/showroom/banbury-oxfordshire-land-rover-defender-90-hard-top-td5-756/

[@thedoctorsgarage]

@@kayedal-haddad I found this too- was before the owner I bought it from had it- strange that it is still advertised for sale!

[@stephanburditt5396]

Your truck needs rust proofing under neath big time

[@thedoctorsgarage]

It’s on the lockdown to do list. What would you recommend using?

[@jamesshaw7171]

@@thedoctorsgarage dinitrol full kit

[@andreamigliorati8223]

what is the size of the tires ?

[@thedoctorsgarage]

265/75