Are these advisories something to worry about? 2002 Defender

Are these advisories something to worry about? 2002 Defender

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Jack Mansfield

Original Poster:

3,272 posts

97 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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So I'm thinking of jumping on the Defender band wagon. Found a TD5 with close to 200k I quite like, but it has the below advisories on it's last MOT and I'm a Defender noob... Are these something to worry about, or do "all Defenders do that sir"?

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn swivel hub pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Lower Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn swivel hub pin (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box leaking (2.1.5 (a))
brake servo corroded
Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox / transfer box (8.4.1 (a) (i))
fuel filter corroded
wires hanging down nearside and offside chassis
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside front nearside rear offside rear (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))
Coil spring corroded all on vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))
Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))
Offside Rear hub oil / grease cap missing

sunbeam alpine

7,080 posts

195 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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The only one that would worry me is the chassis corrosion.

Jack Mansfield

Original Poster:

3,272 posts

97 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
Thanks. I know that's the main issue with these. I guess all I can do is ask the seller how bad it is.

Will it be a case of once the corrosion has started you can't stop it? Or if it isn't too bad, can it be repaired and waxoyled?

anonymous-user

61 months

Saturday 22nd January 2022
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Once the chassis starts to go the only thing you do by welding it or smothering it in Waxoyl is give yourself a bit more time to save up for a chassis swap.
Don’t ask how I know.frown
All the other advisories aren’t too bad, it’s just there’s a lot of them which will eat up time or funds to sort out.
It also says to me this vehicle hasn’t really been looked after.

ETA: On the other hand, if it’s priced reasonably and you can factor in a new (galv) chassis, most if not all of those advisories could be sorted as part of the chassis swap.
What’s the body and interior like?
How are the bottom edges of the doors?
And the bulkhead.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 22 January 03:35

camel_landy

5,085 posts

190 months

Saturday 22nd January 2022
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On an old car like that, there _will_ be corrosion on the chassis. Thing is, as far as the MOT is concerned, a little bit of light surface rust will also be noted as 'corrosion'. It depends on how 'grumpy' the MOT tester is on the day as to wether it'll be noted or not.

eg Yesterday I got a pair of 'Major' defects on my Fiesta for "Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect"... The guy got pissy coz the headlamps were dirty and was fixed with a wipe from a damp cloth. rolleyes

As for the other stuff, yep they all do that. It then depends on how handy you are with a spanner.

The best thing to do is to have a look for yourself and/or take along someone who knows their way around these cars.

M

Jack Mansfield

Original Poster:

3,272 posts

97 months

Tuesday 25th January 2022
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Thanks for the info guys. Decided against this one in the end, but viewing one tomorrow that looks much tidier for just a touch more money!

anonymous-user

61 months

Tuesday 25th January 2022
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Sounds like a wise move.
There are lots out there and although prices are rising (again!) the time spent shopping around will pay off.
Any Defender will need work in due course so it’s worth seeking out one that needs as little immediate rectification as possible.

Sisu9

288 posts

109 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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I don't think that list is too bad. I bought a 2002 TD5 in summer with half that mileage (152,000kms) and the list was as follows:

Rear axle control arm bushes worn
Rh rear wheel bearing worn
Rh front brake constantly jamming
Front control arm bushes worn
Front cv joints worn
Wiper fault
Light switch and indicator stalk both worn out
Fuel filter holder corroded
AC compressor leaking
Engine mountings worn

The chassis and bulkhead were in pretty good shape. I am using it through winter (weekends only) but jet washing it weekly to try to rinse any salt off.


anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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What makes it bad is the mention of chassis corrosion. That usually only goes one way.

camel_landy

5,085 posts

190 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
quotequote all
Crossflow Kid said:
What makes it bad is the mention of chassis corrosion. That usually only goes one way.
I know what you're saying by that corrosion comment is very much down to how picky the tester is. I had the exact same comment on my 110 MOT a couple of years ago, even though it's as solid as a very solid thing and I've not had it commented upon since.

M

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Agreed. It would need an actual look over underneath. The length of the list overall isn’t exactly encouraging in itself though.

Matt_E_Mulsion

1,713 posts

72 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Crossflow Kid said:
The length of the list overall isn’t exactly encouraging in itself though.
This was my first thought on reading the opening post.

Kaptain slow

87 posts

34 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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What’s the previous Mot history?

If these issues have been flagging up for a while i would walk and find one owned by someone more enthusiastic about maintenance.