2009 Land Rover Defender 110

This fine example was first registered in March 2009 and delivered to its first owner in its current Keswick Green colourway. The previous owner acquired the Land Rover in June 2016 at around 110,000 miles as a practical load lugger for his business. After a number of years of faithful service in this role, the Land Rover had so endeared itself to its owner that he felt a full make over was warranted.

This extensive schedule of works included a full respray in the original factory shade of Keswick Green. Other work encompassed the fitment of new bumpers, roof racks, rear windows, new door hinges, wing vents, mudguards, a full LED light conversion, new wing mirrors and upgraded all-terrain tyres. The cabin received plenty of attention, too, to include new carpets, door cards, an upgraded stereo, extensive Dynamat sound proofing, new seat covers, an electric window conversion and fitment of remote central locking.

The current owner acquired the Land Rover via Bonhams Cars Online in February 2022 at 129,000 miles. Since then, the Defender has been further improved still. The current owner has spent close to £17,000 with renowned Land Rover specialists, Bowler. Key mechanical upgrades include the fitting of Fast Road Suspension, a Stage 1 engine upgrade, new LOF clutch, and centre box delete. Additional Bowler refinements now adorn the cabin, too, in the form a sublime gear shift conversion and high quality Momo steering wheel. 

The well-chosen exterior upgrades bestowed upon this Defender give it a thoroughly modern demeanour which truly belies its age. They also help underscore the Land Rover’s central ethos of leading and enjoying an adventurous lifestyle. From the LED lights in the nose, to the black Masai roof rack and the chunky BF Goodrich tyres, everything about this vehicle hints at a life less ordinary.

The refreshed Keswick Green livery looks appropriately fresh and lustrous in keeping with its relatively recent respray. Aside from the odd stone chip and minor Land Rover-esque ripple, both paintwork and bodywork appear to be in fine fettle. The black grill, chequer plate accents, roof panel and wheels contrast fetchingly with the green paintwork.

Those black alloy wheels are the familiar 16-inch, five spoke Land Rover items. These are in a fine overall condition for such a rugged vehicle with just the odd minor scratch and mark evident in the black finish. These are shod with a business-like set of BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/F tyres in a 265/75 configuration. These appear to retain plenty grip-providing tread.

At the rear of the Land Rover the outward opening door provides a home to the spare wheel and accompanying vinyl cover. Beneath this is a heavy-duty tow hitch with single electrics. A pair of large Land Rover embossed mud flaps are fitted to help keep the paintwork clean and protected.

Those familiar with Defenders of this vintage will recognise the interior immediately but will, inevitably, be drawn to the important differences in evidence. In current ownership around £750 has been spent to fit a sublime Bowler gear shifter kit (for both gear lever and transfer selector) in black and the iconic four spoke Momo steering wheel with chunky Alcantara rim.

Other worthwhile and obvious cabin upgrades date from previous ownership, such as the Alpine 9-inch Digital Media Station and luxurious looking, tightly fitted suede headlining. The Masai black seat covers with white stitched seams remain in a fine overall condition and appear suitably hard wearing.

The floors in the front cabin are finished in fitted rubber matting, which is topped with heavy duty, Land Rover embossed over mats. The rear areas of the Defender are finished in dark carpets. The luggage compartment of the Land Rover is fitted with folding, forward facing seats, endowing the 110 with a useful seven-person capacity. 

As already mentioned, the Defender was fitted with the 2.4L Ford DuraTorq turbo diesel unit from 2007 and so is the case with our example. In May 2022, shortly after being acquired by the current owner, Bowler undertook a Stage 1 Engine Tune. This conversion consists of a Bowler modified ECU that delivers substantial increases in both power and torque – up to 175hp and 450Nm. This is sufficient to noticeably improve the 110's flexibility and drivability.

At the same time Bowler supplied and fitted their Fast Road Suspension Kit. At a total cost of over £3,000, this is a bespoke Bilstein set up. This features unique Bowler damper settings and spring rates and works in parallel with unique Bowler springs that are made in the UK. Anti-roll bars, bushes and steering damper are all also upgraded appropriately. At this time Bowler also undertook a B service, replaced callipers, disks and pads as well as half shaft gaskets. A new battery and starter motor were fitted in December 2022. In August of this year the 110 was back at Bowler for the fitting of a LOF clutch and new spigot bearing. 

Lift the bonnet and you are greeted by the sight of a clean and tidy engine bay. The Land Rover data plate is present and correct and the inner panels appear straight and clean. The underside of the bonnet has been carefully fitted with Dynamat sound proofing. The underside of the Land Rover looks to be in very solid condition with no areas of concern noted or reported.

There is good level of supporting paperwork and history included with the Defender. The V5 registration document in the name of the owner is present and documents three former keepers. The current MoT is valid until September 2024 and a number of previous, hard copy MoTs are present.

A Lex Autolease document is present detailing the maintenance and repair history of the Land Rover under its first ownership. This details 18 entries in total spanning mileages from 16,362 to 107,431 miles between November 2009 and September 2015. The remaining archive consists of the high value invoices settled during the current ownership. These amount to almost £17,000 spent with Bowler on two occasions and over £600 spent with Moorside 4x4 in December 2022.

Post 2007 Defenders are definitely the pick of the range. The combination of the DuraTorq engine and six speed gearboxes have a transformational effect on the drivability and flexibility of the Defender in both off and on road use. The interiors were markedly better resolved, too, giving the Land Rover a more upmarket ambiance more akin to the Discovery of the same vintage. 

This example has a great deal going for it to help lift it above the norm. Firstly, it looks modern and contemporary thanks to a raft of well-chosen external upgrades. Mechanically it has been diligently maintained and, more recently, significantly breathed upon by the gurus at Bowler. The interior looks like a nice place to spend time with those high-end Bowler accessories really lifting the ambiance of the cabin. If you like your Defenders, you are bound to love this one so place your bids to avoid missing out. We estimate that this fine example will sell for £30,000-£40,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.