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Popski



Member Since: 09 Jun 2020
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 11

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey
Defender L663 reliability and durability
At the risk of tempting fate, I thought that I’d air my observations having driven Land Rovers for a good part of my life. I have recently bought a D300 110 75th Anniversary edition and have owned Land Rovers for a shade under 30 years and have only had the odd problem with them. The worst being when my 2009 D4’s engine failed after 33,000 miles due to a well known big-end problem. It was just out of warranty by 2 months and LR wanted me to pay £10,000 for a new fitted engine. I objected citing that their position was unreasonable as I didn’t pay north of £30k to have to pay another £10k 2 years later. After a standoff for 3 weeks, LR agreed to pay the whole cost to replace the engine. Apart from this problem the other vehicles have performed just about perfectly - with the odd niggle - from: a Discovery 200tdi kept for 12 years, the above mentioned D4 kept for 8 years, a Landmark Defender 90 MY 2016 kept for 18 months before it was stolen, an Autobiography RR kept for 18 months and covering 25k miles in pretty arduous conditions including the Sahara.

However, when speaking with friends and others I am continually asked whether the new car has broken down yet and other concerned comments. Looking at this forum I don’t get the feeling that the new Defender has many negative issues. And that’s given that the majority of users on this excellent forum are enthusiasts with a keener eye for a problem than perhaps the wider customer base.

I have been a staunch defender - no pun intended - of the LR brand and the Defender especially, and encouragingly it seems to me that the vehicles are getting more reliable; but am I missing something?
Post #1000114 14th Jul 2023 2:49pm
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 1338

Ukraine 
I don't think so. My Defender has had a few niggles but nothing major.

What still lets LR down though is the Censored poor dealer service! Twisted Evil Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1000117 14th Jul 2023 3:02pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2703

United Kingdom 
No issues with my D250 apart from a recall to change the airbox because it was rubbing on the radiator top hose.

The vehicle seems well made and inspires confidence.
Post #1000163 14th Jul 2023 6:27pm
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Badeagle



Member Since: 27 Aug 2022
Location: London
Posts: 53

England 
Had my D250 110 XS for nine months now
Only warning light I’ve had was to top up windscreen washer fluid Laughing MY23 XS 110 D250
2003 Jeep Cherokee Limited
Post #1000171 14th Jul 2023 7:24pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2635

Scotland 
No issues in 64k miles and 2.5 years here. A few minor trim/seal repairs and the hose recall mentioned above but nothing proper.

There have been a few engine failures in the early 2.0 litre diesels reported on the Facebook groups but I haven’t seen any other patterns of concern.
Post #1000173 14th Jul 2023 7:46pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Cannot speak for myself but have two non forum member friends, between them they have a new Defender each one 110 and one 90, as well as three 90 HT company cars - so five in total. Went out for lunch with them recently and off the back of Walfy’s post, asked them what their experience had been - upshot was no issues and two of the 90s in particular have wracked up far above average miles over 2 years.
Post #1000176 14th Jul 2023 8:15pm
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Hairy Dan



Member Since: 25 Apr 2013
Location: NW Durham
Posts: 1411

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 V8 Petrol 50th Auto Chawton White
Re: Defender L663 reliability and durability
Popski wrote:


I have been a staunch defender - no pun intended - of the LR brand and the Defender especially, and encouragingly it seems to me that the vehicles are getting more reliable; but am I missing something?


I think mine is one of the best Land Rovers I've had and I've had them for the last 40 years Thumbs Up Cheers Ian
--------------------
22MY Defender 110 D200 SE, Fuji White.
Kielder 4x4 Safari
Instagram @defender_v8
Post #1000187 14th Jul 2023 10:31pm
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Clemmo



Member Since: 03 Aug 2012
Location: Mile Oak
Posts: 1217

England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
I’ve driven Land Rovers and BMWs side by side for 30 years.
My Defender is definitely up there as the best I’ve driven…too early to comment on reliability but does feel good quality.

As stated above it’s just a shame the Dealers are generally beyond poor. Big Cry

We have decided this will be our last Land Rover product based on this.


Clemmo Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow....
Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green
BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black
Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!)
MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles
Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun
Post #1000194 15th Jul 2023 5:46am
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martinf



Member Since: 30 Nov 2020
Location: Sussex
Posts: 99

United Kingdom 
I am very happy with my 110 P300. No issues in nearly 2 years and 14000 miles
Post #1000201 15th Jul 2023 6:25am
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Garthlands



Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 25

United Kingdom 
Had mine 18 months, done 18k miles, absolutely faultless! Had new Landrover’s, Discoveries and Range Rovers for last 35 years, this is the best quality and reliability I’ve had in that time!
OMG, I hope this statement hasn’t just jinxed the whole thing!!🙄
Post #1000202 15th Jul 2023 7:03am
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2703

United Kingdom 
Car dealers have been a mixed bag for years.

l had three Alfa Romeo's back in the late 1990's and early 2000's
Not the most reliable of vehicles, but great fun.

The dealers were Reg "rip off" Vardy and DC Crook, sorry Cook

Both dealers were beyond hopeless, and Vardy in particular were totally incompetent to the highest degree.

We had a better experience with lnchcape (formerly Smith Knight Fay) VW
We had about five cars off them
over the years.

At least VW were competent, and friendly on the surface at least. But the service department was hassled and made promises they couldn't keep.
Fortunately we rarely needed to call on the warranty but when we did, repairs were done well, with no damage to the vehicle such as scratches etc

The Ford dealer l used was okay, but they were very expensive for routine work on a Transit Connect van.
But they seemed competent and well organised.

Porsche really made me feel special, while simultaneously emptying my wallet. But the service was exemplary.

Dealers can make or break the reputation of a vehicle brand.
Post #1000214 15th Jul 2023 9:03am
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3753

 
My first one was an early build D240 110 First Edition built in Feb 2020 with the much derided I4 4 cylinder diesel. It had a lot of visits to the workshop under warranty for silly things like rattles and leaks. Mechanically it was 100% reliable although I had an oil and filter change done after 12 months / 11000 miles before the required 2 years/ 21000 miles service. I would recommend the engine to anyone but with the caveat that they checked its service history very carefully.
Since March I’ve owned a D250 90 and it’s only visit to a dealer in the nearly 4 months and 3500 miles I’ve driven it has been to collect a set of roof cross bars - it has no rattles, squeaks or leaks and has had the wearing pipe on the air filter issue carried out in the production line. Mechanically it’s been fine.
I’ll still be getting an intermediate oil and filter change at 12 months midway between official services even though mine doesn’t get particularly heavy use on road it does a fair bit of off-road driving in low ratio.
I’ve owned 14 previous Land Rover products since 1996 - I’ve had two cases of unreliability in that time - the auxiliary belt on a TD5 Disco5 failed (a well known issue with the earlynones) as I was driving it to the dealership to collect my new TD4 Freelander………
The 2nd one was a 2014 Evoque 9 speed auto that had a gearbox ECU software update carried out by the dealers at 9 months old and from that day until LR bought it back it was burning up a DPF sensor every 3-4 weeks. LR had no idea why it was doing it but shortly after they stopped applying the software update until they got ZF to fix the problem.
I owned a 1996 TDi300 90 from 2001 to 2022 - a corroded chassis at 12 years old was the only issue I had with that. I did bend a steering rod off-road and ran it for 100 miles without no oil in the transfer case but I consider those to be problems created by me and not due to any failings by LR. All the rest of the Discos, Freelander, 3 x RRS, 2 x L322 FFRR’s and the 2010 6 speed auto 2.2 Evoque Coupe were boringly reliable, like both new Defenders. Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come
2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed!
Post #1000251 15th Jul 2023 12:40pm
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spudfan



Member Since: 10 Sep 2007
Location: Co Donegal
Posts: 4636

Ireland 
"boringly reliable, ", that would make a great sales pitch. "Land Rover...boringly reliable!" 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali
2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu
2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai
Post #1000415 16th Jul 2023 4:45pm
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Nicofender



Member Since: 16 Jan 2023
Location: Southern
Posts: 51

Germany 
Have a D200. Works like a charme. I‘m in Hirtshals right now taking the ferry tomorrow to Iceland for 6 weeks. Heavy dirt roads and harder offroading will be done. I report back after it.
Post #1000532 17th Jul 2023 1:57pm
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silent_fury



Member Since: 28 Aug 2022
Location: Romania
Posts: 23

Romania 
My story: 5 Aug 2023

L663 D300, MY 23.5, 13000km on board.

50 km from Thessaloniki, engine warning light, car is trembling, not have possibility to do more than the 100 km/h. (limp mode)

I was heading to vacancy, packed up & everything and 1 years old child. Sad

The result: injector nr. 2 electrical failure.
Now (12.09.2023) is in back order parts at dealer with no horizont of delivery.
The dealer gave me a Jaguar F Pace as a replacement car.

I love defender, but…never again.
Post #1007352 12th Sep 2023 10:06am
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