Highlights
- VAT Qualifying
- Just one owner from new
- Comprehensive history
- Genuine 50,395 miles
- MOT to May 2023
The Appeal
There’s a reason the Defender remained in production, in a pretty much unchanged format, from 1990 to 2016 - it’s incredibly good at its job. If you need a utilitarian, go anywhere, do anything vehicle, then you need a Defender. Very few vehicles can be said to be the de facto choice in their field, but the Defender is certainly one of them.
This example is from the Defender’s final years of production (in this format) and therefore benefits from the more reliable Duratorq powertrain. Presented in excellent condition with a smart colour scheme, low mileage and good history, this would be an excellent way to tackle the perils of both the countryside and the urban jungle.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in May 2012
- One owner from new
- Documented service history
- MOT to May 2023
- Owner’s handbooks
- V5C present and correct
The Interior
- Black fabric upholstery
- Vinyl floor covering
- Four occasional seats in the rear
- Air conditioning
- Electric windows
- JVC CD/Radio with USB, Aux and Bluetooth connections
The cabin of the Defender is a fine example of utilitarian design. Everything you need is here, and not a thing else. And everything is sensibly and clearly laid out, made from durable materials and easy to clean. It’s little wonder it became the go-to vehicle for the country set.
Seating is arranged in the traditional two up front, four in the back Defender layout. The front seats are vinyl backed and fabric faced, with the materials presenting well, showing no evidence of major wear or damage. Likewise, the fold-down rear seats show little in the way of wear and tear, and make the Defender a truly practical vehicle.
Looking at the dash, it has the squared, robust styling of all Defenders. All of the switchgear and instrumentation looks to be in good order, with a little wear from use showing on some of the graphics and icons, but everything remains eminently usable and legible. We didn’t see any signs of UV damage or cracking to the dash, and overall all the driving controls look in fine fettle.
The headlining in the driving compartment is white and appears to be secure and shows no evidence of sagging or significant damage we could observe. There are a couple of marks, and a small row of tiny holes, but otherwise it looks in good condition. Similarly, the vinyl door cards and plastic floor covering in the front look in good order, with no damage or notable wear. In the rear, there’s a branded, heavy duty rubber floor mat – perfect for muddy boots or dogs.
The Exterior
- White and black paintwork
- Gloss black trim
- Sump guard and rock sliders
- Rear mounted spare and tow hitch
This Defender is certainly a striking machine – the white paintwork looks fantastic, especially with the contrasting black roof, wide arches and gloss black trim. It all looks in fine condition too, with the odd blemish and minor mark, but nothing that would concern us.
The body panels appear straight and well gapped, with no signs of damage or corrosion. Similarly, the trim presents well, with even the sump guard and rock sliders looking in fine order – we don’t imagine this Defender has seen much in the way of off-road work.
It sits nicely on gloss black 5-spoke 16” alloys, with a rear-mounted full-size spare. They’re all shod in Continental Cross Contact all-terrain tyres, which look in excellent condition, with great tread depth.
Looking under the car, usually you’d expect Defenders to be a little rough around the edges. This is anything but. The underside looks clean and straight, with minimal signs of any kind of corrosion.
The Mechanics
- 2,198cc 4-cylinder Duratorq turbo-diesel
- 6-speed manual transmission
- Hi/Low ratio box and differential lock
Featuring the reliable and strong Ford Duratorq Tdi engine, this Defender offers a chunky 122bhp and 265lb-ft, with all that torque arriving at just 2,000rpm. It makes the car very tractable and perfect for towing, hauling loads and for off-road work. Alternatively, it’s just as happy tootling around town.
The engine looks lovely and clean, with no signs we could see of leaks or overheating. Underneath, the drivetrain elements wear a smattering of surface corrosion, but otherwise everything looks solid and in very good order.
We’re assured by the vendor that everything works just as it should, with the car pulling well, braking straight and handling nicely.
Summary
We love the specification of this Defender, and the fine condition in which it’s presented. Whether you’re looking for practical daily transport or something striking for active weekends and adventures, you can’t do much better than this.
With low mileage and a good service history, this handsome all-roader should be good for many years to come.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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