Member Since: 01 Jun 2020
Location: Horndean
Posts: 214
Buying advice
Hi all,
Im after a bit of advice and the general opinion if possible please. I’m currently a D2 owner and have seen a 05’ D3 for sale, seems like a good price, very low miles and only one owner.
My question, With these vehicles, would an AA ( or similar) vehicle survey be worthwhile or are they too general for the types of things that need to be looked for on the D3?
The D3 I’ve seen is a few hours away and to be honest, I don’t know a huge amount about what to look for and if I would be competent enough to spot problems myself.
Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks
3rd Jun 2020 2:36 pm
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 315
AA are pretty useless on land rovers to be honest better to find a good indie local to where its being sold and ask them to take a look. If the seller is serious and has nothing to hide they shouldn't have an issue with it05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
There may be another forum member who is closer and with more knowledge than yourself who may be able to take a first look for you ?The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
3rd Jun 2020 3:53 pm
Bubblehead
Member Since: 01 Jun 2020
Location: Horndean
Posts: 214
Thanks for the replies, I did kind of expect the answer on the AA survey to be along those lines, £250 odd is a lot to spend out to not really find out much about it.
The car is in Cardiff and I am Portsmouth so a fair drive, obviously more than worth it if it looks to be a good one though.
Are there any buyers guides on here to have a read through?
It’s a 1 owner, 66k miles but no SH, I only have the previous MOt’s online to go off, they highlight a few jobs that will need doing but don’t think they should be show stoppers...?
3rd Jun 2020 6:32 pm
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 315
I think there's one in the WIki - there certainly used to be one knocking around on here (I've hovered in the back ground for a while before buying one myself) If you're set on a D3 though the buyers guide and list of things to check is a bit scary 05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
3rd Jun 2020 7:41 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Private or dealer?
If dealer any warranty stuff is going to be a real issue.
3rd Jun 2020 8:38 pm
DieselD
Member Since: 24 May 2019
Location: Wells
Posts: 82
Hi Bubblehead,
If you are in the process of looking for a good D3 then I would advise that you "Vcheck" anything you like the look of first , it will give you a full run down of the vehicles history. I Used it when buying mine and it saved me a lot of grief !!.
Just google vcheck, it costs money to use it but could save you a fortune in the long run.
Good luck on your hunt.
Regards Dave.
3rd Jun 2020 8:39 pm
Bubblehead
Member Since: 01 Jun 2020
Location: Horndean
Posts: 214
Duc750 wrote:
I think there's one in the WIki - there certainly used to be one knocking around on here (I've hovered in the back ground for a while before buying one myself) If you're set on a D3 though the buyers guide and list of things to check is a bit scary
Yes I was aware that the list could be quite long, I just don’t know what in particular is on it yet... seems like a bit of a minefield unfortunately.
I’d love a D4 but it’s solely down to budget, it will be the family second car so doesn’t have the budget to cover the purchase of a D4 unfortunately.
3rd Jun 2020 8:55 pm
Bubblehead
Member Since: 01 Jun 2020
Location: Horndean
Posts: 214
lynalldiscovery wrote:
Private or dealer?
If dealer any warranty stuff is going to be a real issue.
The one I have seen is from a dealer, don’t think it has any warranty implied though, why could it be an issue?
Thanks
3rd Jun 2020 8:57 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
Bubblehead wrote:
Thanks for the replies, I did kind of expect the answer on the AA survey to be along those lines, £250 odd is a lot to spend out to not really find out much about it.
The car is in Cardiff and I am Portsmouth so a fair drive, obviously more than worth it if it looks to be a good one though.
Are there any buyers guides on here to have a read through?
It’s a 1 owner, 66k miles but no SH, I only have the previous MOt’s online to go off, they highlight a few jobs that will need doing but don’t think they should be show stoppers...?
No SH would put a lot of owners off, including me.
Low mileage isn’t always a good thing. D3/D4s seem better when they are used
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
3rd Jun 2020 9:04 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Bubblehead wrote:
lynalldiscovery wrote:
Private or dealer?
If dealer any warranty stuff is going to be a real issue.
The one I have seen is from a dealer, don’t think it has any warranty implied though, why could it be an issue?
Thanks
Because the dealer has to warrant the vehicle for the first 6 mths by law, so if you have any problems how do you propose getting the car back to them?
Many operate a return to base warranty, ie yes they will fix it when it gets back to them at your cost.
I would then check the service history. If a full JLR history is not available, then I would want to see invoices.
There are plenty of D3s & D4s for sale, and I would not consider one without a full service history. Remember if you buy a car with a gap in the SH it will still be there when you sell, and impact on its value.
Regards
NigelAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
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4th Jun 2020 6:55 am
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 315
For me the exception to the whole service history gap is if you can meet the owner.
My D2 for example has a big "stamped" service history gap between 43K when I bought it and 96K that its on now. I can show any prospective purchaser all receipts for oil, genuine filters etc and other genuine things like aux belts etc that get changed at regular intervals (much more regular than the service schedule) If you are buying from a dealer then that's more difficult to ascertain through a dealer.
Stuff thats more difficult to see from service history is the condition of the underside, sills, arches etc05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
4th Jun 2020 8:17 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I always feel as the car ages s/h becomes less and less important, and it is mainly a warranty period thing.
You cant beat an enthusiast owner for decent regular/servicing.
4th Jun 2020 5:31 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
I actually live in Cardiff so if i can help any way i am off work too Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
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