G'day,

Found a 2011 SD4 SE AUTO that is well priced, but service history is problematic.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hunters-hi...1227226424
Seller claims to have used a non LR-specialist for the last 3 years, but “Sorry. I threw away the receipts long time ago”.
Says that servicing must be legit because the LR dash service messages have been cleared (Don't mention the Brazilian method).
Sends through overly sales-pitchy messages, refreshes the ad on Gumtree by removing & reinstating, selling a BMW X5 as well...
All of which might be perfectly innocent and no indication of the quality of the car, which looks to be in good nick.
And the lower price means $1500 leftover for immediate replacement of cam belt, ancillary belt, and water pump.


Can LR pre-service inspection catch damage done through poor servicing or should we walk away from patchy history?



Vehicle's Log Book
13,049km – Jan 2012 Inspection 1 -– LR specialist
30,213km – July 2012 Service B – LR specialist
57,993km – June 2013 Service B – LR specialist
71,284km – Nov 2013 Service A -– LR specialist
101,235km – Nov 2014 Service B (+ rear brakes & brake fluid change) -– LR specialist
115,381km – May 2015 Service A (+ front brakes) -– LR specialist
131,708km – Feb 2016 Oil Service -– LR specialist
196,200km – Aug 2019 Oil service -– Non-LR specialist

Personally I'd be concerned with that 3 year gap, especially when followed by non-LR service but then again I don't know one end of a screwdriver from another so if buying privately I'd rely heavily on the details the seller provided.
How long's he owned the car? As he's selling an X5 as well, could be a dealer, bought the car in recently and had it serviced by his mate at a local garage just before selling it?
Do your national breakdown services, or similar, undertake roadside inspections, although wonder if it would be thorough enough for such a vehicle. If seller not happy about that, then walk away

If you have to ask, walk away! Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

He's owned it for the entire 3 year service history gap.
Claims to have been serviced by a local, obscure Chinese mechanic friend in this time.
A few Google reviews on the mechanic's workshop over the years seem legit, but there's no proper website and no obvious LR expertise listed.


Wouldn't dare buy the car without paying AU$275 for an inspection by a LR workshop.
But I'd only bother if inspection can realistically uncover the gremlins that might be lurking if he really didn't service it properly for the last 3 years.

Steve D wrote:

If you have to ask, walk away!

I would have no problem if the mechanic has the complete record of the car like my mechanic has. My mechanic bought my last car after I had it for 18 years.

Get NRMA to inspect it.

Have you been to the mechanic to look at the business, maybe he is servicing old Camrys.

I have all the invoices & manuals for everything done or added to my car, it easily fits in a lever arch folder. Not difficult stuff. Even have the rear used brake pads which just needed replacing.

Another car will come along with a good paper trail!


Had my brake fluid changed a year ago. How old is the battery, change mine every 4 years. How old is the tyre on the spare wheel, if it is 6 years old replace it. Does it have rear wheel drive, seems a few drive shafts go missing, commented in other threads! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Realistically, every used vehicle purchase is somewhat of a crap shoot but you want to minimise exposure/issues. Any good mechanic can drive and inspect a car with decent confidence. A good body shop is also another great contact to look the vehicle over. In all seriousness, well maintained service history and record keeping, is usually a very good sign of a meticulous previous owner.

Last edited by MotionInc on 19th Oct 2019 1:05 pm. Edited 1 time in total

agree with Motion Inc any purchase is a risk, give it a good test drive if it feels good go for it, that's all I did when I got mine 3 years back.

There seems a lot of blokes on this site who do ALL their own repairs, would you trust them selling one? I guess they will maybe knock up a list of jobs done . . .anyone can make that stuff up

Yes every purchase is a risk, but if its a good price , and a few jobs need attention may be worth it.

It looks very nice.

I use my own crazy logic to justify keeping my 12½ year old FL2 going, if it costs me £100 a month to keep it going, its still less than what some people pay on newer cars monthly loan payments !  2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

I bought an Evoque from a well known Manchester dealer and it was a dangerous lemon. Service department could find no fault but when we (technician and I) took it for a test drive he nearly killed us both 😳
Still couldn’t find any fault so was told “drive it carefully “
I sold a 180,000 mile FL2 ( which was ultra reliable) but serviced by me to buy the Evoque - no expense spared if one door lock failed change them all attitude
In my mind buying a car even a new one is a lottery Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Strewth. Hm, for my money a three year gap is a bit too long for a LR.

I have privately bought and sold too many cars to remember, I no longer use any pre-purchase inspection, just my own knowledge and instinct. I used to use them but the inspections were no better than I could do myself. They didn't drive the vehicles either.

I sold a Td5 Disco to a guy who took it to a well-known indy LR specialist a long way from my home for a pre-purchase inspection. Inspected, given the all clear. Deal done.

Within a couple of weeks the drivetrain failed - the lubricant was just foamy watery muck. Sorry mate, not my problem. I had never waded that particular vehicle thankfully. Maybe he was fishing for a discount.

Not sure I would own a LR without a warranty of some kind anymore. Too expensive to repair when they go bang.

My 2c.

By coincidence my own SD4 SE originated in Melbourne. Bought it from a wholesaler in Sydney at a very good price. MY11 SD4 SE Auto

Quote:

Not sure I would own a LR without a warranty of some kind anymore. Too expensive to repair when they go bang.

That was one of the things I was initially weighing up: a general warranty OR preemptive maintenance. Can't afford both.
Warranty would have an excess and be capped at 3 grand per fix anyway, and they'd try to weasel out of it.
Think I'd prefer to spend that $2k on 10 year service stuff ahead of time (cambelt, water pump, etc).


Ultimately I'm hoping a FL2 will be as reliable and enjoyable for me as they have been for many on the forum.
I understand that theoretically anything can happen at any time, but in terms of hedging my bets, service history has gotta be worth something.
Otherwise, why bother servicing regularly at at all?

Just looked at the ad. Same engine, colour and interior as mine. I got a lot of bonus dog hair in the boot though.

130k km when I bought it 12 months ago, paid 17 which was a bargain. $13K is low, but that's because the kilometres have nearly hit the magic 200,000 mark when the value drops considerably.

The original owner's details and servicing dealer stamps may give you clues about the work it has done and quality of work.

I'm pretty close to Hunters Hill, you're welcome to look at mine to give you a comparison. Needless to say I like my Freeo very much. MY11 SD4 SE Auto

I'm with Steve D on this, if you need to ask questions and have your doubts best to walk, another will turn up, also always get twitchy when a seller is being vauge.




 If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

My gut is also warning me, because it's rather cheap regardless of the 195,000km (which I'm not intimidated by).
The owner is also both vague and fairly sales-y. For instance, the title of the ad doesn't list it as an SD4.
I'd have thought he'd know that's a huge selling point, so not sure if it's posing as a hidden bargain or the result of actual naivety.


As a comparison, another grey 2011 SD4 SE (with dark grey leather instead of cream) is selling down here in Melbourne for $15,990 with 147,000kms.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2...6808/?Cr=3 (Originally listed at $17,990)
I'm considering stretching the budget, as that may be a safer option given full service history and original owner.


Otherwise there's a 2012 TD4 XS (pre- dashboard refresh) for $14,500, which wouldn't stretch me as far.
Owner has receipts and is transparent, but it'd require a flight to Sydney and an 8hr+ drive back to Melbourne.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/l...D-6232537/


p.s I'll live without the LR approved dog hair, ozjeff62

Seems you got some better options there doc, BUT... Always remember that even the best deals can turn sour.....

Just thought I'd chuck that in



 If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.