The six used Land Rovers to buy now before prices rise

Yahoo

30-03-2025

One way of investing in Land Rover is to do what a Yorkshire-based businessman did and buy 239 Defenders just before the long-serving model went out of production in January 2016. He claims that effectively having the monopoly on the last of the rugged 4x4s then selling them to desperate lovers of the model is 'better than money in the bank'.
Alternatively, you could do as we did and ask six experts on Land Rovers to name the models they would advise their best friends to put their money into. There's a range of prices for each because car prices are dependent on mileage, condition and location, among other factors.
Years: 1971-1985
Price: £8,000-£25,000
The original Land Rover was launched in 1947 and by the time of the Series III, a quarter of a century later, the shape had barely changed from Maurice Wilks' original 'utility vehicle'. Despite the Series III spending its lifespan being made by the unloved British Leyland Motor Corporation during the 1970s and early 80s, Land Rover specialist Jake Wright from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, thinks this last of the 'Series' model is the one to have.
'They started to become popular as we were coming out of lockdown,' he said. 'The short-wheelbase, soft-top Series III, with seats in the back for the kids, is a really fun car to own. It's the most driveable of the Series models, has a synchromesh gearbox and looks relatively modern in a timeless sort of way.
'Most people who want them as a fun car go for petrol models; the diesel isn't much good as a leisure vehicle. We even offer an electric power steering conversion, with the mechanism hidden beneath the bonnet, for owners who want lighter steering.'
Years: 2001-2012
Price: £3,000-£14,000
When BMW took over Land Rover in 1994, it quickly concluded that the recently launched second generation Range Rover wasn't going to have a long shelf life. Its successor, the L322, began life as an Anglo-German collaboration. And even though it ended up being launched under Ford stewardship after the US giant bought Land Rover in 2000, it still initially featured BMW engines and switchgear.
Ross Brunyee, owner of Land Rover and Range Rover specialist Glenrands in Liphook, Hants believes this is the pick of the bunch: 'I have one myself and they're very comfortable, very competent in all driving situations and it has been very reasonable to maintain.
'If you find a nice one, you'll be set. They're budget money [to purchase] but if you look after them properly and expect to spend £1,000 to £1,500 a year on maintenance, you'll have a car with real character, soul and class.'
Years: 2006-2015
Price: £1,700-£5,000
After having the traditional body-on-frame construction beloved of off-road fans for more than half a century, the Freelander became the first Land Rover to feature a unibody or monocoque construction. Then, from 2010, the Freelander 2 became the first Land Rover to offer a two-wheel drive version. The horror!
Even so, Justin Lacey from Mike Harding Land Rover Specialists in Bovey Tracey, Devon thinks they make a great used buy. He said: 'If you get a nice low-mileage Freelander 2 with a service history, you won't go far wrong. Their engines are very reliable.
'If they haven't been looked after, they can have rear differential issues but as long as they've been serviced properly, they're pretty good. And more often than not they go through their MOT with no problems at all.'
Years: 2013-2022
Price: £10,000-£30,000
Land Rover's ascent of the luxury ladder took a couple of steps forwards with the fourth-generation Range Rover. Becoming the first SUV to feature an all-aluminium bodyshell, according to Land Rover, it was 39 per cent lighter than its predecessor. And it was packed with electronic kit to ensure that going off-road had never been so luxurious.
This L405 model is getting on now, having been replaced by the even more sumptuous fifth generation, although James Kendall from the Vogue Centre in Oldham, Lancs believes you'll struggle to get better value for money. He said: 'Range Rover values took a big hit last year and the market in them crashed [because of a high-profile theft problem].
'I'd suggest people go for the SV model. Prices of them have halved. You can now get a top model of a very high-end car for less than it costs to get something like a BMW X5.'
Years: 2012-2016
Price: £30,000-£45,000
The Land Rover Series III – the traditional Land Rover shape – was superseded by the Defender in 1983, although even then it was initially known as the 90 and 110 in reference to its wheelbase. The Defender name was adopted in 1990 to differentiate it from the then-new Discovery.
With improved suspension and better interiors, the Defender was designed to bring that original shape into the 20th century. Production finally ended in January 2016 after 67 years. And it's that final model that Andrew Harrison-Smith, MD of Nene Overland in Peterborough, recommends to buyers.
He said: 'I would recommend the classic Defender 2.2 TDci 90 short wheelbase and 110 long wheelbase station wagons, manufactured between 2012 and 2016. Station wagon variants offer seating capacity for four to seven people and are sought after mostly for family camping holidays and outdoor activities here in the UK. I'd expect to pay £30,000 to £45,000 for a nice, well-prepared example.'
Years: 2021-present
Price: £45,000-£65,000
When Land Rover replaced the Discovery 4 in 2017, it's an understatement to say some owners were disappointed. The new car's nondescript slab sides and plain weird asymmetrical tailgate turned what had once been a design classic into a divisive model that people either loved or loathed.
Many customers duly voted with their buying power and new sales slumped. Even so, aficionados believe those buyers could have been turning their back on a hidden gem of a car – particularly as you can now buy high-mileage 2017 models for about £17,000. That's a lot of car for the money.
But senior buyer at Saxton 4x4 in Essex, Danny Bryant, believes the petrol model launched in 2021 is the sweetest. He said: 'With its seven seats, this model strikes the perfect balance between power, refinement and practicality, featuring a smooth 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 360PS for effortless performance, both on and off the road.'
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