Find out how to get one in your storage
An skilled’s view
Julian Voelcker, Overland Cruisers: “You don’t purchase an Amazon for its economic system. It’s a snug, highly effective and dependable workhorse. If it’s been serviced correctly, the engines take excessive mileages of their stride, however the transmission and suspension get drained. It’s not proof against rust, particularly on the again alongside the sills, but when it’s not terminal, you shouldn’t be delay. You could possibly purchase a mechanically sound one for £6000, spend £2000 getting the rust fastened and also you’d have an £8000 4×4 that’s good for one more 10 years. Facelift vehicles are usefully improved and corrosion must be much less superior.”
Purchaser beware…
■ Engine: Beware shonky V8 LPG conversions. A smoky diesel will fail its MOT; verify its EGR valve hasn’t been blanked off. Examine injector pump for leaks. Petrol and diesel timing belts want altering each 100,000 miles or six years, with the water pump. Oil modifications are each 6000. Diesels are noisy from chilly however ought to quieten as soon as heat.
■ Transmission: Pre-facelift auto can undergo torque converter failure. Noises from the entrance axles as you draw back could possibly be entrance outer CV joints carrying.
■ Air con: Rumbling or squealing could possibly be the air-con pulley. Examine drain pipe isn’t dripping, rusting the droplink mount.
■ Suspension, steering wheels and brakes: Cycle by the Computerized Peak Management (AHC) settings. A tough, bouncy journey spells hassle, as does a drooping entrance finish. Examine the handbrake isn’t seized. Wheel bearings want tightening and repacking with grease each 20,000 miles. Search for fluid leaks on underside of energy steering pump.
■ Physique and chassis: Examine rear sills and wheel arches, higher tailgate encompass and inside edge, and decrease tailgate lock encompass for rust. If it has towed a ship, the rear chassis could also be rotten. Look beneath for off-road grounding.
