Defender prices

[Davel]

So I had a Defender 90 XS a while ago and quite fancy one again.

Got a rapidly growing German Shepherd puppy and so need something more practical than my just sold X5

I know a van would be suitable for a while, but the Defender bug is still in me.

However, I was rather surprised at just how the used prices have rocketed for anything half decent.

The question is that if I buy one for say £35-£40k, are their residuals still likely to remain high as they don;t make them any more - or will they drop again just as soon as I buy?

[tight fart]

No and yes.

[NAS90]

Davel said:

The question is that if I buy one for say £35-£40k, are their residuals still likely to remain high as they don;t make them any more - or will they drop again just as soon as I buy?

The very latest (2013 on) are perhaps overinflated because they are the newest ones you can buy, if (and it's a big IF) the new Defender comes out and is a great truck then these prices are likely to soften. If on the other hand the new Defender isn't well received they will likely strengthen.

If you want to hedge your bets you're probably better to buy a 2007 to 2012 Defender which will be more likely to be in the £20k +/- range for what you want, are unlikely to depreciate much in the foreseeable future and in reality apart from the later ones being a little quieter there isn't much difference between a 2007 & 2015 Defender.

[Bill]

I really can't see it. The people paying that much for a Defender are speculators and people who like the image. No one is going to pay that much and use it properly off road.

If (and it is a big if...) JLR don't balls the image up people will move on. Those that like the image will buy the new one and the speculators will get out as the market drops. That will be worse if the classic car bubble bursts.

I don't think the drop will be huge, but don't bank on depreciation free motoring.

[Davel]

tight fart said:

No and yes.

Thanks for that

[bakerstreet]

I'd get a Discovery 4. Bit easier to live with and that budget will give you lots of choice.

I think the prices have levelled a little and I'd like to think that the days are numbered for people trying to charge £8k for a battered C plate 90.

However, I'm not sure the residuals on the new new ones quite match the older ones as people like the simple maintenance of the 300tdi/TD5 engines.

However, your money is probably safer with a Defender overall when compared to a Disco which are hardly flavour of the month due to being diesels and high running costs.

[300bhp/ton]

Davel said:

So I had a Defender 90 XS a while ago and quite fancy one again.

Got a rapidly growing German Shepherd puppy and so need something more practical than my just sold X5

I know a van would be suitable for a while, but the Defender bug is still in me.

However, I was rather surprised at just how the used prices have rocketed for anything half decent.

The question is that if I buy one for say £35-£40k, are their residuals still likely to remain high as they don;t make them any more - or will they drop again just as soon as I buy?

£35-40k is way too much IMO for them. They certainly aren't worth it. Although you must be looking at very specific ones for that money, they can still be had a lot cheaper.

I suspect they will hold their money to an extent for a while, but the bubble will burst on them, they are currently fashion icons for rich folk. And I doubt this will last.


I'm also not really sure they are selling at this money. I know more and more are being listed for it. But having a quick look on autotrader there are ones for nearer £20k which seem to be essentially the same as those for nearly £40k.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd certainly advise shopping about.

[Dynamic Space Wizard]

It's also worth remembering that when German shepherds get old they suffer from very weak back legs and so a tall vehicle is the worst thing you could have for them, because they'll still want to jump into and out of it, but they won't have the strength to do it, and they are big, heavy dogs.

I'd choose a normal estate car for any dog, although I know a Landy or any other interesting vehicle would be much more fun to own.

[Davel]

Thanks for that.

He's only 5 months old so anything bought now won't still be here when he's older.

I have thought about estate cars but they just don't do anything for me.

Finally, would you have any concerns buying from anyone other than a dealer? Are they pretty easy to get fixed?

Edited by Davel on Thursday 22 November 13:53

[NAS90]

Davel said:

Finally, would you have any concerns buying from anyone other than a dealer? Are they pretty easy to get fixed?

Edited by Davel on Thursday 22 November 13:53

Yes they are easy to get fixed with great aftermarket parts and service support across the country; most common faults are easy enough to address but there are a few that crop up that can be costly.

Personally I would classify non specialist dealers as much the same as private purchases in terms of the way they prepare a Defender, however a dealer who specializes in Land Rovers is likely to add value to a Defender with greater knowledge of the product leading to better preparation. Pricing is all over the place in the private market with some private sales appearing to be good value and some asking more than dealers for their cars.

Like any purchase, the only way to really judge the market is to have a look at a few of private sale cars and a few of specialist dealer prepared ones and see if the extra preparation and dealer facilities adds enough value for you.

[300bhp/ton]

NAS90 said:

Personally I would classify non specialist dealers as much the same as private purchases in terms of the way they prepare a Defender, however a dealer who specializes in Land Rovers is likely to add value to a Defender with greater knowledge of the product leading to better preparation.

Not sure if you are referring to main dealers here or not. If you are, then I would probably not agree. Main dealers employ "technicians" rather than mechanics or engineers. And their solution to a problem is replace an entire "something" rather than figure out what was really wrong. A main dealer is also likely to be very inexperienced with Defenders in the grand scheme of things.

[300bhp/ton]

Davel said:

Are they pretty easy to get fixed?

Edited by Davel on Thursday 22 November 13:53

tbh, they are about the easiest car to fix in the world. Simple construction, everything can be taken apart and all parts are available new, most OEM and lots of 3rd party options.

I'll be frank about them. They are awesome machines, but they are awesome at being utility off roaders. They all suffer rust on the chassis, latter ones arguably worse. Body work is thin from Td5 models onwards and shows more dents, plus corrosion around rivets.

They will leak, you might think I'm joking but I'm not. Seriously they will leak water in and oil out.

Most of the oil bits are fairly robust, although all are easy and fairly cheap to replace. The Ford engine is fine, although does have it's own issues, none of them of Land Rover origin. Same with the Tremac 6 speed gearbox, there are plenty of issues around these, but LR didn't actually build the boxes. But overall they should be fairly ok.


But I do struggle to see them being worth some of these crazy prices tbh.


My uncle bought a new pick up in 2012 and a new hard top in 2015. The pick up cost £17k new by the time he had claimed the VAT back. The hard top was a bit more money, but nothing like the prices some seem to be listed for now. I say this, as the interior quality is that of a £17-25k vehicle. Not a premium £50k vehicle.

Ultimately a Discovery 1 or Range Rover classic are about 90% the same as a Defender under the body (same suspension, axles, steering, etc etc lots of interchangeable parts). Just with a body that is much more comfortable and refined. Ok I know Defenders can be newer than either of these models. But you are paying all the extra just for the "looks" and fashion status of the Defender.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 23 November 09:37

[Davel]

Thanks for all of the comments.

Agree with all of them.

My previous version leaked and the dealer had to take the body off to replace the seal - and the rear side window frames rattled badly, till they fixed that so it’s alltrue.

Think I paid about £21k for my previous one too.

[gibbon]

I have been considering these. I think the prices may well soften, and will be softening from quite an inflated level.

My logic for this is a lot of them are bought for, putting it politely town and country use. I love in London and there are a LOT of them. ULEZ coming into effect in early 2019 within the congestion zone and then extending to the north and south circulars in 2021 means i think these cars will suddenly become a lot less popular. I understand this is a london centric statement, but i dont think it will just be London that faces these issues, as is already happening in europe.

I think diesels will become politically awkward and so financial unattractive very quickly.

Edited by gibbon on Monday 26th November 15:05

[CB 987]

A colleague recently sold their 2012 Defender, it was a 90 van converted to a station wagon with rear seat added, side windows, rear bulkhead removed etc. Good spec, condition and low miles.

It struggled to sell, but it was competitively priced, in the end it was sold to a small trader who seems to buy up low mileage examples from private sellers, then adds new wheels, clear lights, gloss black arches etc and makes them look very clean. Then sells for a decent markup, there is clearly a demand!

If you have the cash and don’t need dealer finance facilities etc, then I think buying privately is the route I would go for best value.

Good luck!

[Davel]

Changed my plan because I don’t think the prices will hold as more city owners’s Defenders come on the market.

I’ve bought a 2013 Mini Clubvan for the commute and Bear - the dog.

Looking for a summer toy now...

[NAS90]

300bhp/ton said:

Not sure if you are referring to main dealers here or not. If you are, then I would probably not agree. Main dealers employ "technicians" rather than mechanics or engineers. And their solution to a problem is replace an entire "something" rather than figure out what was really wrong. A main dealer is also likely to be very inexperienced with Defenders in the grand scheme of things.

I wasn't referring to a main dealer, but to independent dealers who specialize in the brand and add value through knowledge & experience of the Defender, which does have its individual quirks. There are a few smaller dealers across the country now who are selling well prepared Defenders at sensible money and who are turning over a good number of cars each month. this as opposed to the general used car dealers who've heard Defenders are easy money and are basically selling Defenders that they bought at auction without doing any mechanical or body preparation other than a quick valet.

[w1bbles]

I think prices will soften soon. If you trawl Ebay regularly you’ll see that lots of high priced Defenders are not selling. If you want one, but an old basket case and spend the money doing it up. I think you’ll end up with a great vehicle at a fraction of the price of something more recent. I’ve bought two... a V8 and a Td5 and I think that they will be good in the longer term but they were £6500 each. The £35k ones will get hammered by the new Defender (IMHO).