Models · Land Rover
Land Rover Defender (90 and 110) buying guide
The coil-sprung Land Rover 90 and 110 and the Defender that followed, built from 1983 to 2016 with a long run of petrol and diesel engines on a separate ladder chassis.
The versions
- Early diesels and petrols: 2.5 diesel and Diesel Turbo, 2.3 and 2.5 petrol, and the 3.5 V8
- 200Tdi from 1990 (107bhp) and 300Tdi from 1994 (111bhp)
- Td5 five-cylinder turbodiesel from 1998, 122bhp
- Ford-based Puma diesels: 2.4 from 2007 (122hp) and 2.2 from 2011/12 (122hp, with a particulate filter)
- 90 and 110 wheelbases, with a low-range transfer box and a diff lock
What to check on a Defender
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Chassis rust
What to look for: Get underneath with a torch and a screwdriver. Clean off mud and look closely at the rear crossmember, the outriggers just behind the front wheel arches, the front suspension turrets and the rear spring mounts. Be wary of fresh underseal or fibreglass hiding the metal.
Why it matters: The mild steel ladder chassis is the main concern. The rear crossmember takes the strain of towing and winching and can rot from the inside out where mud collects. Repairs and replacement galvanised chassis are available, but the chassis is the first thing to judge on any example.
Bulkhead rust
What to look for: Lift the vent flaps under the windscreen and look for rust, check the bulkhead sides and bottom corners, look for perforation under the door hinges, and from inside check the footwells behind the pedals are solid.
Why it matters: The bulkhead is mild steel and safety-critical, with the windscreen, dashboard, steering column and doors bolted to it. A foam strip can trap water under the windscreen. Rot in the footwells behind the pedals is an MOT failure, and replacing the bulkhead is a major job.
Swivel balls and steering play
What to look for: Look at the chrome swivel balls behind each front wheel for pitting and rust, and for oil leaking from the seals. On the drive, note any vagueness or excess play in the steering, and look under the bonnet for power steering leaks.
Why it matters: Corroded swivel balls damage the oil seals and in time wear the swivel pins, causing vague steering and play. Power steering systems are also prone to leaks.
Also in the full guide
- Low range, diff lock and transfer box
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Defender
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Land Rover.