Hi,

Scuff/ bubbling paintwork/ Mechanical repairs - If buying a car off any dealer, you can always ask/ try to negotiate any cosmetic and/ or other due repairs within whatever purchase price you agree to pay and then it's for the dealer to decide if they will or will not agree to your requests (that could apply to the black 2 inch scuff on the front grille and to the wheelarch(es) bubbling you refer to. Ask for confirmation in writing from them, as to how long any cosmetic and/ or other repair work is guaranteed for and be clear whether or not any guarantees cover paint, parts and labour; and then you both know where you stand from the outset).

If, for example, they will not undertake any cosmetic/ bodywork repairs within the deal - and you know you will arrange to have it fixed at further cost to you - then weigh up the cost of such work offset against what you are paying for the car and what other similar cars on the market are going for. From that you will know whether or not you are getting a fair deal.

Reverse Camera - Sometimes after engaging reverse and then driving forwards in ours, the camera stays on for a few seconds. As far as we're concerned this is normal, our camera works fine and seems nothing to worry about.

Excessive smoke/ Service History - the selling dealer should be able to tell you who the servicing LR main dealer was and a simple polite telephone call maybe followed by an Email to the service manager of that main dealer, providing the registration/ chassis number of the car, should enable you to find out the service and maintenance history of the car, including advisories, when last serviced and/ or whether any work has been undertaken that might be linked to the excessive smoke, if there is anything wrong (it might have been done and might still be under warranty).

If the selling dealer has stated that the car is 1 owner with a Full LR SH, then obviously you would not buy the car until that had been proven, including having sight of the V5 log book which would assist you confirm you are buying the advertised car and that it has only had one previous keeper. You could also contact the previous keeper via log book details and put your questions about the car's history to them, if you felt gaps still remained.

If you are interested in the car, telephone the seller, tell them that and also point out that there are some issues that concern you and which you need clarification of, otherwise if they don't quickly get their 'house in order' your interest will end. Weekends can be a busier time for dealers too, so it might be more productive to make the effort to view during the week when the sales person is better prepared for you?

As for your own inspection before buying a LR, if you decide upon that - two examples would be to ask the seller if they are prepared for you have it inspected and either - make an appointment for a LR main dealer to inspect it or identify a recommended local independent LR Specialist to inspect it.

Just some thoughts but overall, if you do your homework and your own pre sale checks, go with your gut instinct about the car and the seller, you'll probably not be too far off the mark.

TBH you really have 2 choices.

Either buy an older highe mile example and stick a few quid to one side for any repairs knowing you wont lose too much on it and have cheaper road tax and insurance, Think 2003-2004 TD6/V8(LPG?) Vogue spec
These also allow the Head unit to be upgraded much easier and are more well known about at garages due to the age of them but also come with the pitfals of being older so rust on the rear arches and bootlid.

Or go and splurge £18k on a lower mileage TDV8/SC thats 2006/207 model and still face any pitfals of reliability with that when it comes.


For my vote while the TDV8 is nice if you are setting budgets then bear in mind it could still cost you as a warranty wont cover everything as many will atest to on here once they dont use the LR warranty anymore.
The Older TD6 is a better way to go. You know the box will be a weak point and bushes will likely need doing if not already done but then at least you go in with your eyes open knowing that it will need work, and you wont have splurged the bigger money and faced issues with little to fall back on. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

" Either buy an older highe mile example and stick a few quid to one side for any repairs knowing you wont lose too much... Think 2003-2004 TD6/V8(LPG?) Vogue spec... These... are more well known about at garages due to the age of them but also come with the pitfals of being older so rust on the rear arches and bootlid. "

@KP - Can understand your logic, each to their own, it's a good idea to consider all permutations before buying any car and the OP will reach a decision one way or another.

However, it's also worth pointing out that nearly new L322 Range Rovers are susceptible to tailgate and rear wheel arch corrosion as well as 2003-2004 models, 2007 models etc. There are examples cited on this forum of 2010 and 2011 cars suffering such corrosion. It's also worth remembering that if the LR warranty has expired and/ or does not cover it, some main dealers will carry out repairs via goodwill to their customers; and if buying a car from any dealer where the LR warranty has expired or won't cover it, repairs could potentially be negotiated into the deal or the cost negotiated off the purchase price, dependent upon what the price of the car is.

If I had a budget of £20k, I definitely wouldn't consider any TD6! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

If the budget was a loan and didn't leave them much spare cash per month above normal fuel and servicing bits it could be hard to swallow a bigger repair bill.

Just think, for £20k you could have a td6, an sc and spare cash!

Each to their own as we know we would all like a newer one could we afford it, even Mick  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

The guy from the garage just called to say they have looked at it and its ready to test drive if Im still interested. No other info about smoke/ testing/ diagnosis etc. The OH is going to phone him back and ask for a bit more info. Also going to point out rust and see if they are prepared to resolve. Going to find out dealer that it was purchased from and I'll put in a call to see if they hold any other info about the car because the comment regarding the turbos maybe going/ on the way out has concerned me a little. I assume the LR dealer who sold the car would be able to shed light on any issues identifed before they sold it on? He also said that they dont have the full SH through from LR yet and I'm curious as to whether this is a stalling tactic- Get her down for a test drive and see if she loves it and try to do deal before producing docs? Sorry if I sound cynical but this is a very large purchase for me and I dont want to be taken for a mug, I find that I have problems with garages when I go to look at cars- they think they can talk me into the deal with promises of 6 months tax and pointing out the shiny wheels and toys! Will see if he has any better info than he did on saturday, I really want an explanation for the excessive smoke before I think about the car any further. He also said car would be sold with 3 month warranty but from what I hear on here these are barely worth the paper they are written on? I assume if the LR warranty was active or could be renewed he would have mentioned that to me at some point.

Looks like getting my FFRR before the end of the month is becoming a rather unrealistic expectation

I'd ring the seller back and get the servicing dealer details and ring them myself. Make sure you get the VIN off the car before doing so as it may have had a plate change.

If you do it yourself, it's quicker to resolve. If there is further umming and arring, walk away.

Like you, I don't like being taken for an idiot by dealers -

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Also if you do go back to see the car specify that the car is not to be started for several hours prior to your visit, hopefully this will allow the engine to cool enough to see if the smoking still occurs again from cold.

thanks TugRR and Prop! Both your comments are noted and will be taken on board! Especially point about specifying that the car should not be started for several hours before we view it.

Well the saga continues....

The OH just called the garage to say that we would be down tomorrow to look over the car and take it for a test drive. They said that was fine and commented that they would have it all warmed up and ready to go before we arrived. The OH stressed that under no circumstances should the car be started tomorrow and that we wanted to see it from cold to see if there was anymore smoke. He wasnt very happy with this suggestion but agreed.

He then started quizzing the OH on my current car and whether I would be trading in it and requesting that we bring that car tomorrow so we can sit down and 'discuss facts and figures' before we take the car out for a test drive. My OH informed him that there was absolutely no way that we would be discussing costs etc before driving the car. He was advised that 'thats not how we do it here' and told that we would need to sit and discuss trade in, costs, finance etc before we drive the car. By this time my OH was getting slightly nippy and very clearly explained that these sort of discussions would not be taking place until we had driven the car, and even then that it would be highly unlikely that a snap decision would be made after a brief test drive. For some reason the guy at the garage was really unhappy with this and stressed again that we should all sit down and discuss the purchase before driving it!!!! What is this guy's problem???? So far I am not happy and I'm tempted to abandon the test drive altogether as that is not the sort of customer service I would expect when it comes to the purchase of a vehicle of this sort! Im not viewing a 15 year old, £500 banger here- yet he thinks I am going to agree to purchase/ costs before I have been behind the wheel?? I am not F G happy. Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing before? Surely this isnt the norm???

I can appreciate that the garage dont want to entertain 'test pilots' every weekend but I have made it quite clear that I am looking to purchase in a hurry and that if all is well then I will be ameniable to discussions. But certainly not BEFORE I have even turned the key in the ignition?!?

Cant someone just find the perfect FFRR and deliver it to me?

if the garage treats like this now ,what will they be like if you have a problem with the range..i'd walk away, fate dictates that something better will come along.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

I know thats how I feel as well. I feel like based on my age he has made an assumption about my financial circumstances and is treating me accordingly. That is a very dangerous game to play and I'm surprised that he is not more aware of that, as he appears to have been in the car sales game for a long period of time. More than that, even if it did all check out and I loved the car, I would be very reluctant to line his pockets to the tune of 21k after this little drama! So frustrating!!

It's the end if the month and maybe the over assertive sales tactic is to force a sale to try and hit sales targets...

No a good start, whatever the reason.

Have you made any progress with finding out the history of the car?

Walk away mate. Won't be worth the hastle with the garage.

A good few years ago I had a Volvo dealer ignore me when I turned up in jeans and trainers to ask about a T5.

Walked out the showroom and got in my M5 and he chased me up the car park. Funny.

Good luck.

I really love my Td6 - better remapped.

You would have money tucked away if needed. Would lose less as its cheaper in the first place ? 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

He said that it was from the LR dealer 'round the corner' and that it had been serviced at the same dealer for the whole time that the previous owner had the car. If I go and view it tomorrow (still in two minds to be honest) then I'll check out the SH and then call the dealer who sold it. There is something about this car that I just cant put my finger on and that salesman's attitude is only exacerbating my concerns!

I know what you mean about sales targets but you would think that would make him more accommodating not less! I am certainly not going to sign on the dotted line after a 10 minute test drive and based on his behaviour up until this point I fully expect to get the hard sell, and the 'what can i do for you to take it today'. I hate that sort of coercion and wont be bullied into agreeing to something that I'm not 100% comfortable with. This is all before I have raised the rust issue with him and asked him to explain the reason for the bellowing smoke that I encountered last time.

The RR search is not an easy one....