2007 Land Rover Defender

Despite being kitted out with some nice off-road toys – under-engine armour, snorkel and winch, this short wheelbase Land Rover station wagon XS doesn’t appear to have led a hard life. Certainly with it’s owner of the last five years, it has not seen any excursions into the rough.

Initially in the Cotswolds and now in the Peak District, the truck has covered just under 95,000 miles. It sports a little extra grunt from an uprated intercooler and ECU remap, and has the more civilised/versatile interior with the folding, forward-facing seats. The car has two keys with fob, a locking wheel nuts & key, and a heated front screen that comes with the car.

With an eye to keeping the Land Rover safe, it has some discreet but effective security features added by the present keeper – which include reinforced door hinge guards, plates shielding the path of the bonnet cable, and a removable steering wheel with a swivel lock steering column.

Wearing its original coat of metallic Cairns Blue paint, the Land Rover presents very well overall. The paintwork retains a suitably muted ‘working wagon’ gloss that is consistent across the whole of the truck, without any fading or significant scratches anywhere. Sometimes the big hinges and mirror mounts on these can become very discoloured from surface rust, but generally that hasn’t happened here, with those areas (and the windscreen vents) looking clean in the main. There are some very small areas of corrosion – a little in a few screw heads, and a couple of small bubbles in the finish here and there, but these are superficial. The rear door and its surround remain very good, as do the rubber door seals all round. The chequerplate atop the wings and below the doors, remains tidy, and it’s worth noting that there are discreetly positioned extra plates to prevent access to the bonnet cable. The headlight surrounds are very tidy. Lights and indicators are clean and all badges are present and correct. The snorkel is sturdy and firmly mounted.

The rugged Defender always had a Meccano set feel, and this example still hangs together well, boasting discreet panel gaps and no warping in those flat sides or misalignment of panels (slight dimples at rivet points come as standard). The plastic wheelarch extensions remain firmly fixed in place and show no grazed edges or signs of ‘off-roading’ damage. Their colour is a nice match to the steel panels. There are no dents in the roof (which also shows a good gloss), and the rain gutters are straight and rust-free. Overall, a very presentable wagon.

The Land Rover’s interior appears used but well cared-for. Controls such as the gear levers, removable Momo Quark steering wheel (incl Optimill quick release steering boss) are in great shape, retaining a good colour and finish and showing no signs of rough handling. The original steering wheel has been retained and is included in the sale. All switches are present and correct – and pretty clean. There is a working CB radio and the controls for the winch. Electric windows, heated front seats and air conditioning are all fully functioning.

Seats show a gentle patina, but both vinyl and cloth retain a good colour, with no great wear. The white edge stitching also remains clean and in good shape.

Internal plastics and the metal lockable central storage box look to be in good condition (fit and finish was ever utilitarian), but they remain sturdy, and there are no significantly scuffed or chipped edges and no cracks. This goes for the door panels too (both front and tailgate); they are a little scuffed but haven’t warped or cracked and all door assemblies/furniture remains intact. Nothing is loose.

In the rear, the (forward-facing) folding seat assemblies operate smoothly and the seats are in excellent condition. This one certainly doesn’t look – or smell – like it’s ever carried hay bales – or sheep.

Headlining and carpets are in good condition. The latter are a bit dusty, but nothing at all to cause concern. The sunroof closes firmly and shows no signs of leaks.

The whole of the Landy’s interior is striking in its lack of signs of abuse and also – frivolous as it might sound – the absence of any untoward aromas; bad examples often retain the smell of damp, wet rubber or a general fustiness. This one feels – and smells – quite civilised.

The underside of the truck shows expected weathering, and there is some visible surface rust on larger components and along some edges. Even so, everything looks immensely sturdy, with chassis rails, struts and outriggers all appearing very strong. Nothing is bent or distorted, nor seems to have endured any kind of severe impact. The sump guard/armour plate fitted to the underside remains firmly fitted and shows no dents nor evidence of any kind of impact. Dampers, coil springs and suspension arms look to be in great shape and brake assemblies appear similarly good with the caveat of a dusting of surface rust. Everything looks eminently servicable and the underside of the body tub looks to be in excellent shape. The exhaust is okay. Tyres (Continental Cross Contacts) are not aggressively off-road oriented and have plenty of life left in them. The five-spoke alloys remain a smart feature of the truck.

Bumpers, front and back, remain sturdy. The Warn winch, function tested recently, appears to be in fine fettle and little used.

Moving up into the engine bay, the 200 TDi motor looks weathered but well-sorted. There is a little oxidation and a smattering of surface rust here and there, but nothing that would interfere with adjustment or servicing, and no signs of leaks. Large plastic cowlings and casings remain a good shade of grey/black, showing no cracks or signs of heat distortion. There are no signs of neglect. The underside of the bonnet, the inner wings and the all-important fire wall all look very healthy, and the general impression of the mechanicals is one of great robustness.

The station wagon has had the good fortune to have diligent owners all of its life. It’s fully stamped service book, owner’s handbook and a sheaf of invoices show very regular servicing as well as the addition of a range of subtle and useful upgrades. All recalls are signed off and all ‘advisories’ on the past MOT have been attended to.

Early in its life (2010), the truck was gifted an uprated intercooler as well as an ECU remap, making it both more tractable and a little more perky, and the paperwork for these is also present. There are numerous receipts including those for the Warn winch, and security add-ons.

t’s worth saying – again - the Land Rover Defender is an icon and an institution, both as a British product and a 4x4. That’s on top of the model being, in many minds the world over, the very definition of a 4x4.

There may be nothing outstandingly different about this particular wagon, but all its tweaks and upgrades – the engine remapping, the intercooler, the armour and snorkel, and the security features – just make life with this Landy that little bit easier and potentially more fun.

It remains – and probably will do for a very long time – a reliable, practical and attractive example, equally ready to go green laning, or simply down to the village shop. Also, as its sibling are proving with almost every sale, its value is likely to remain very strong - not many classics out-perform these one-time farmers’ wagons.

We estimate this car to fetch between £23,000 - £28,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Matlock, United Kingdom. To arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.