A legend of the British automotive scene the Land Rover Defender was once synonymous with the British agricultural landscape. These days it can be found out on the fields or in the middle of Central London, a car that can do anything they have recently experienced a period of rapid appreciation.

The Defender story starts in 1983 as a follow up to the Series’ Land Rovers that had come before and which had conquered most of the world, the Defender quickly gathered a following around the world for go-anywhere capabilities. The Defender would be more of an evolution of its older brother the Series, with constant 4-wheel drive, coil springs, a lockable differential, and sleeker, more modern styling it was one of the most capable off-road vehicles on the market.

After a hugely successful production that ran from 1983 to 2016, the original Defender was retired from service. The name returned to worlds roads in 2020 with a new and sometimes rather marmite re-design.
Since the production of the original Defender ceased in 2016 the market for these cars has gone crazy with some selling for close to six-figure values.

The history that this Defender has is amazing, with only two owners from new it is easy to tell the story of its life. This Defender starts out its life on a private estate in Yorkshire. From 2007 through to 2011 it was used for light duties in and around this estate, returning to Armstrong Massey every year for a dealer stamped service.

After its somewhat cushy life pootling around an English country estate, it goes up for sale with the same dealership that has serviced it for the previous 4 years. It was snapped up by the current owner in 2011 to replace their aging 320d, it would spend the next year or so in the country. In 2012 the current owner moved to Chamonix, near the French Alps, and decided to take this Defender with them, so in 2012 it would start a new chapter of its life over on the continent sunning itself.

Used as the everyday car it is amazing to see it in such great condition, the current owners were meticulous with the maintenance on the truck. From the huge ring binder chock full of paperwork, it is obvious that they were handy when it came to the mechanical aspects of keeping a truck like this on the road.

This Defender has lived a life that many of its UK counterparts could only dream of, visiting Italy and Switzerland. its 10-year excursion on the continent. It has only recently returned home to the UK and is now being offered for sale in amazing condition. With all of the laborious import, paperwork completed it is ready to start the next chapter in its life with a devoted new owner.

You may think that this is just another Defender, but with the history, this has on file, the countries visited and the pampered life it has lived this is unlike any other on the market.

It has been hinted that this truck has an amazing file full of paperwork that will come with it. There is everything from factory original Land Rover literature and manuals that are rare to find with this type of truck. There are handbooks for approved used Land Rovers, assistance should you need it, huge workshop manuals, the owner's handbook, and the service book which is dealer stamped up until the car left for France in 2012. When the car left and went to France the owners would service the car themselves, following a checklist that Land Rover themselves would follow.

Unlike many defenders, almost every invoice has been kept, from a £2 receipt for a new battery in the immobiliser fob to a bill in the thousands for preventative maintenance that has been carried out. It is obvious that the current owner understands that these trucks need a little bit of love every so often to avoid big surprises in the future and the next owner will benefit from all of this. They will be picking up a Defender that, although it has covered 80,000 miles still feels like new to drive. It’s these details that just help to prove that this truck has been looked after by people who have loved it.

Alongside all the invoices, dealer literature, and service books you will find the all-important V5c and an up-to-date MOT certificate. The new owner may be inclined to take an afternoon to sift through the mountain of paperwork so that they can gain a first-hand understanding of how this truck has been looked after.

The interior condition of this defender is nearly immaculate, when you step up into the cabin what you are presented with is amazing. With the previous owners having cared for it in such a meticulous way it looks the same way it did when it rolled off the Solihull production line in 2007. With this being a very early Puma variant of the Defender, it has received an interior overhaul, something that was much needed in 2007.

 
If we start with the part-leather seats, we can say that all seven of them are in near perfect condition with no rips, tears, or staining, the front seats are also heated for added comfort in the winter months. Looking down from the seats we find rubber Defender embossed floor mats and underneath these are carpets that look like no one has ever stepped on them. All the door cards from front to rear are un-marked too. 

In front of the driver, we are met with the new for 2007, modern and up to date dashboard and instrument area. With big chunky buttons to operate the electric windows, heated seats, and air conditioning this was the start of the shift to a more urban life for the Defender moving away from the basic agricultural tool it once was.

A few weak points of Land Rover interiors can be the headlining detaching from the roof and the dreaded ‘defender drip’. A potential buyer will be happy to hear that the headliner looks new. Almost unheard of in a Defender, this once again goes to prove how well this truck has been looked after.

Overall, this interior has to be seen to be believed. It is in such amazing condition that it is almost unbelievable. It is clear that from day one this has not been used as a farm truck or abused in any way. It has always been loved and looked after and that is paying dividends now that they are commanding the money they do.

The exterior of a Defender needs no introduction, a true icon of the automotive space it is a car that will live on much longer than any of its rivals. With this being the 110 variants of the Defender, it has a slightly longer wheelbase than its little brother the 90, making it even more compatible for use as a family runabout.

With the level of care that this Defender has received over its lifetime, it is no surprise that the exterior is in great condition, it is a real shock that this car has done 80,000 miles. This 110 has some added features on the exterior that just add to the rugged nature. Fitter with a ‘Warn’ winch and a snorkel this truck come ready fitted should you want to explore a green lane or two after you have picked it up.

All the wheels, including the spare on the rear door, are in amazing condition. With the rims in great condition and sitting on five matching General Grabber TRs, once again giving us an insight into how well looked after this 110 has been.

Having spent an extended period in France there are a few little war wounds from French motorists with the worst offender being a slight dent on the front left wing. There also seems to be a patch of lacquer peel or similar on the roof, but this is a common issue on Land Rovers of this age.

Although there are a few small niggles on the exterior it will not be hard to source replacement parts. With Land Rover being such a British institution many aftermarket parts specialists will stock the few number items needed.

In 2007 Land Rover decided to give the Defender a bit of an overhaul, from the interior to the running gear it was now ready for another decade on the market. Some of the mechanical items that were bought up to date include a new 2.4l 4-cylinder Diesel and a six-speed gearbox. This new configuration made the Defender more comfortable to use daily on the roads.

With this Defender having received such meticulous maintenance it is no surprise that it fires straight up and idles smoothly. Pulling well in all gears with no apparent clutch slippage it is a perfect, unmodified, mechanical example of a wonderfully simple piece of engineering. One bonus of this particular Defender is that it has a factory-fitted immobiliser system to protect your pride and joy from any un-savoury characters.

It has recently had an MOT with only one advisory for a tiny weep on the steering pump. For an older Land Rover, this is amazing, most of them are covered in oil underneath but this one appears to be somewhat clean. There is a receipt dated 2011 that references some rust prevention work that was completed, it appears to have worked as the chassis appears to be in great condition with a few spots of corrosion, but nothing to worry about.

Whether you are using this truck on the public highways or for a quick adventure down some green lanes it will perform brilliantly, leaving a massive smile on your face.

 

It is rare to find a Defender that has had such a pampered life, from day one it has received the highest level of care which has made sure that it is now presented in such great condition. The new owner will be inheriting years of fastidious maintenance and record-keeping.
 
Having watched the Defender market over the past few years it is clear that collectors are after the low owner, low mileage, and well looked after examples. What we have here ticks every single box, this is your chance to become the owner of a car that will unlock so many doors for you. It has already been at the heart of many happy memories exploring the European continent and it is ready for you to take it on its next adventure.

If you have been looking out for a Defender, this could quite possibly be the best example on the UK market.



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