2010 Land Rover Defender Puma

This Defender was an unmodified 110 and only a couple of years old when the current owner bought it. He ran it as a toy and gentle workhorse until the original 2.4-litre Puma engine was found to be ‘a bit of a waste of time’ for towing requirements. That’s when the decision was made to go all-in with a Cummins diesel engine conversion – a major transformation that requires a long list of modifications. It’s believed to deliver around 235bhp, and stunning torque.

‘It’ll sit at 70mph alright, but it’s not about speed,’ he tells us. ‘This engine is all about pulling power.’

This is one of a sequence of Land Rovers which his team has built since Covid. (A Defender 90 is now in the pipeline.) The engine came out of another Defender conversion, sourced in Devon. It was purchased as a kit, complete with P7100 injection pump and the necessary conversion parts – including manifold, turbo, flywheel housing, engine mounts and exhaust. The owner then completed the project with the help of his workforce, which includes an in-house mechanic. 
 

Those unmistakeable tyres are 355/80 R16 Maxxis Trepadors, arguably the most hardcore off-road tyres on the market. Stainless wheel nuts, deep-dish rims and huge wheelarch flares create a tasty picture.

All the lighting has been upgraded, with better headlamps as well as LED indicators, side lamps and brake lamps, and smoked side repeaters. That raised air intake isn’t just for show – it’s genuine (ie. connected to the engine) as is the exhaust stack.

There’s compressed air on board, not only for inflating your tyres but also for operating the pneumatic clutch, an essential part of the Cummins-related modifications. You’ll find an air outlet and pressure gauge behind one of the sills, tucked neatly behind the side steps.

Up front is a Warn recovery winch, never used in anger, plus a Genuine Land Rover A-bar, meaty aftermarket headlamp guards and the signature Spectre-style rope.

We could go on. Recover boards, jerry cans… The important thing is that the overall condition is excellent. Corrosion is almost entirely absent, panel gaps are good and there’s no significant damage.

Enthusiasts will also love the Penman trailer. Built to impeccable standards for the British military, these have a loyal following, and this one was bought in excellent condition from Withams before having its custom canopy fitted. It’s been used just a few times for transporting diving gear on trips away. 
 

The inside is less radical than the outside. Don’t expect luxury, but this is a ‘Puma-spec’ (post-2007) interior, making it the most civilized evolution of the ultimate 4x4. The owner has installed plusher leather seats which are only gently worn in, and an uprated stereo system.

The biggest thing you’ll notice though is the gear shifter, which is now connected to a five-speed manual gearbox (a change from the original MT82 six-speeder). In place of the original high/low shifter, there’s now a pair of control knobs for selecting between ratios, and between two- and four-wheel drive. Unlike original-spec Defenders, this conversion is only 4WD when required.

Defender doors are vulnerable to theft, so these hinges have been fitted with security plates which prevents them from being easily unbolted. They also wear some cosmetic touches in the form of aluminium door furniture.

The rear load bed has a smart canvas cover, and underneath is a lockable drawer system – ideal for discrete and secure storage of your tools.

One of the rear seatbelts has a little damage, which might need attention one day. Other than that, it’s remarkable how tidy everything is. You’ll find light surface wear on a few key touch points so we won’t call it immaculate, but it’s not far off.

Despite its swamp-crossing abilities, we’re told this Defender has never scaled anything more difficult than a kerb – and it shows. The chassis is undersealed, free from muddy build-up, and survives in excellent condition throughout. No oil splatter either. Please scroll through our photos to see for yourself.

Part of the Cummins installation involved plating the front inner wheelarches so no dirt is thrown into the engine bay.

Around 2019, prior to the engine conversion, this 110’s running gear was treated to various recommissioning works. A new OME suspension kit was fitted, together with upgraded steering arms, new wheel bearings and Genuine Land Rover brake components.

It’s believed the axle differentials are the originals, but the transfer box ratio has been altered to get the most out of the engine.
 

As you can see from the mileage record, this Defender has seen very little use since Covid. The total mileage is around 98k but the engine has done much less. The Cummins received a ground-up rebuild for the previous owner in 2019, and had covered around 3000 miles when the present owner had it installed in this vehicle.

Among our photos you’ll find a description of the Cummins seller’s description of the engine and the associated mechanicals, which were bought and installed as a kit. (In the drop-down menu, select ‘Documentation’.)

Bear in mind that this Defender has been maintained in-house for much of its life, so this is reflected in the amount of service paperwork. The latest MOT, dated 15th April 2025, shows no advisories. In fact, it hasn’t had a single advisory since 2015.
 

Genuine 007 ‘Spectre’ edition Defenders have been known to fetch £365,500, but none of them pull or sound like this, and at that kind of price you’d be mad to actually use one. This one, by contrast, is begging for action. Enjoyed it as is, or you could quickly turn it into a long-haul towing beast simply by switching to some more practical wheels & tyres.

Either way, it’s worth investing in – especially given its clean underneath and solid structure. Keep it this way and it’s bound to hold its value nicely.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £35,000 - £40,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.