Highlights
- Just three owners from new
- Tasteful upgrades to modern specifications
- Galvanised chassis
- Powerful LED lighting to the front
- Dual battery set-up
- New clutch in February
- Clifford Security System with motion sensors - when you move around the car while it’s locked it will automatically sense it and make a sound
The Appeal
First imagined in the early Forties, who could have realised what an iconic vehicle the Land Rover would become. The legend started with engineer Maurice Wilks first sketching out an idea for a farm vehicle on the sand at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey and the popularity of this rugged go-anywhere vehicle would see it go on to sell over two million examples across the globe.
The Defender carried on the theme Wilks had set and fan from 1990 until 2016, with lots of small revisions along the way, with a new Euro 5 compliant 2.2-litre turbo-diesel arriving for the 2012 model year.
This 2012 example one of the later models of the breed. The current owner is a Land Rover enthusiast who also owns other examples and has treated this one to a full makeover to a more modern specification. Upgraded LED headlights, clear tail-lights and the two-tone paintwork make it the ultimate urban big rig.
The History and Paperwork
- V5C in owner’s name
- Only 3 owners from new
- Invoices for clutch and flywheel in February 2023
- MoT until 20 October 2023
- Vehicle has mainly been serviced by Land Rover main dealers
- Recent service history from LR specialist Swinfield Cooper
- Private registration not incouded
- Ignition lock on the key with double lock system
The current owner is a Land Rover enthusiast who has owned the vehicle since March 2021 and bought it with around 128,000 miles on the clock. Since then he’s added just under 8,000 miles and used it as his reliable daily driver.
All servicing work in his care has been carried out at Land Rover specialists Swinfield Cooper who fitted two new batteries in September 2021 (at a cost of well over £1,000), as well as installing a new starter motor in June 2022. A new clutch kit, flywheel and rear propshaft UJ were installed by Swinfield Cooper in February 2023 at a cost of £1,599.96.
The car is also fitted with an expensive Clifford alarm system which include an additional ignition lock-out and an external motion sensor.
The Interior
- Half-leather seats look neat and are unmarked
- Additional Land Rover rear fold up seats
- Seven seats all with three-point seat belts
- Rubber flooring in good condition
- Terracota detailing added to dash top and passenger grab handle
- Dual battery monitoring system fitted in dash
- New black headlining recently fitted
- Handy centre consoled storage box added
Inside the Land Rover is largely as it left the factory with the original steering wheel and smart half-leather seating. Rubber floor mats keep the interior practical and useable. The most obvious alteration is the fitment of terracotta coloured alcantara to the instrument pod binnacle, dash top and passenger grab handle. This adds a welcome splash of colour to the otherwise black interior. The headlining has recently been renewed and looks much better than original as it’s in a more upmarket black suede-like finish.
Equally practical is the addition of a useful centre console storage box and pair of cupholders. The original perforated leather trimmed steering wheel is in great condition.
The dashboard is largely original except for the addition of a Union flag emblem and a neat display that indicates the remaining power in the dual battery set-up. Eagle-eyed Land Rover enthusiasts will also note a couple of extra switches for the light bar and additional spot lights.
The Exterior
- Smart two-tone paintwork
- Bodywork in excellent condition
- Galvanised chassis fitted
- Mantec snorkel fitted
- Upgrade LED lightbar, LED headlights, LED DRLs and LED spotlamps
- Genuine Land Rover A-bar fitted
- Tasteful silhouette Union flag and Vantom Designs logos
- Updated Defender bonnet lettering and 110 limited edition graphics
- 7 x 16 factory Boost five-spoke alloys in unmarked gloss black finish
- General Grabber TR mud and snow tyres in 235/85-16 size (dated 2005, 2006 and 2019) all have ample tread
- Upgraded rear towbar frame and mudflaps fitted
This is a really striking vehicle and the addition of the black roof, bonnet and lower chequer plate detailing help make this vehicle stand-out. The graphics pack looks great and upgrading the headlights to modern LED units and finishing the bezels off in gloss black makes the vehicle look much younger than its 2012 registration. Add a personal plate (this one isn’t included in the sale) and you’d never guess it wasn’t one from the last year of ‘proper’ Defender production.
The underside looks good and there’s no chassis rust to worry about thanks to the upgraded galvanised chassis unit, which has been painted black to look like factory.
A few sensible bolt-on upgrades have been neatly fitted to the exterior, including powerful front LED lighting, a genuine Land Rover A-bar, together with mud flaps, a towbar and a snorkel.
The Mechanics
- 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine mated up to six-speed gearbox started easily
- Drove fine for photoshoot
- Owner says he does not know of any faults and it drives very smoothly
With lots of recent invoices for service work and in daily use by the current owner, this Defender has been a faithful friend and is said to drive far more smoothly than other Defenders the family have driven. It started without fuss repeatedly on the hot day of the photoshoot and there was no smoke or untoward noises on start up. The current owners do not know of any mechanical issues with the vehicle.
Summary
This seven-seater Land Rover clearly hasn’t been off-roaded and has been treated to a comprehensive makeover that starts with a galvanised chassis and a modern-look makeover with a full set of LED lights. This Defender wants for nothing and is all ready for you to show off at Land Rover events.
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.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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