Background. Having driven most variants I want a 10-12 4.4 diesel l322.

I’ve looked at 4 local cars now. They’ve all been “ok” but mentally while looking I’m already making a list and checking it twice if work/jobs despite a full history.

So anyway, looked at a ‘12 Westminster today 117k miles and it was the best by far. Paint was flawless. 4 new tyres. Drove perfectly. Suspension seemed ok and no warning dash lights. Interior could have passed for 20k. No oil leaks. No smoke on boots. Matts in great shape. Only 2 faults are drivers heated seat not working and missing the parcel shelf. Mot history close to perfect, and no rust on arches or tail gate.

But here’s the rub, the history is crap. 3 patchy stamps, one with no mileage even written in. The owner has owned it for a year and said he did a service himself when he bought it a year/5k ago.

Would it be a bad bad buy if it genuinely hasn’t been serviced enough? I’d obviously buy it and change everything, flush transmission etc etc.

Upon pointing this out I was able to negotiate 2.5k off the asking price making it a very attractive price, but I don’t want to buy something that may go pop due to sub par maintenance.

Thoughts appreciated.

Ps im also messaging a guy on here, it may be sensible just to jump on a plane to London and be done. Just the hassle/risk/days off mean im looking locally (Belfast) first.

Last edited by Lightning on 20th May 2023 3:23pm. Edited 1 time in total

Get it bought

Service history is just a stamp in a book
Go by condition, it sounds good by your description..

Did it with my 4.2 sc but I got it for 2k instead of £4.5k. No issues with mine.

The main issue tends to be the oil cooler leaking oil all down the back of the engine. If left alone, oil gets into coolant and vice versa. So if the coolant is as it should be, with no oily residue, the other potential issues can be sorted and can occur on any L322. Oil cooler leak can be sorted but it’s messy and can be about £1000. Mine had oil in coolant when I bought it in Jan 2016. I got it sorted and no further issues.

As above, sounds in good condition. If it ticks the boxes get it bought. Not many 10 year old cars need absolutely no work at all….

 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

Have you checked the online MOT history and done a vehicle check on something like Carvertical? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I know the ad of the one you're talking about. With the seller calling it a 'jeep' you should demand and extra £500 off

Have you done an HPI check?

Have you seen the blue Westminster currently on auto trader? (NI is a small place, OP will understand).

Ha it certainly is a small place.

Went to see that other westminster last night. Its not bad, but again the guy bought it a year ago and has done nothing to it since bar fit 4 part worn tyres. When I asked about gearbox oil etc i got a blank look. Interior hasn't held up just as well being cream, wear on carpets/sills etc. Again no rust, its not bad but its not as good as the other one.

Cheers for the advice guys, I'll do a bit more research tonight. If only I could find someone as fussy as myself when I'm buying.

If it's already cheap, and the seller is willing to make it cheaper with not much pushing, I'd be asking why - it could be they need to sell to pay other, fixed bills etc. or there could be a masked fundamental issue.
Consider if you buy, how much could you afford to spend to repair unknown or unseen issues. I would also be checking the VIN plates and looking for production dates on parts to confirm it is the vehicle they claim it is.

As has been said service history is just a stamp. Buy it change all the fluids including coolant and brake and then look at the usual problem areas and maybe do it just as preventative and bingo great motor ready for enjoyment

Phoenix wrote:

If it's already cheap, and the seller is willing to make it cheaper with not much pushing, I'd be asking why - it could be they need to sell to pay other, fixed bills etc. or there could be a masked fundamental issue.
Consider if you buy, how much could you afford to spend to repair unknown or unseen issues. I would also be checking the VIN plates and looking for production dates on parts to confirm it is the vehicle they claim it is.

Whatever your budget I’d keep £5k back as a contingency fund when buying one of these. The one in the advert is a reasonable price for the mileage but you may want to look into the cost of changing rear subframe bushes. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I think the fact you said it 'drove perfectly' is the important part here.
At the end of the day it's a lump of metal and plastic parts grafted together and at some time something will break.

Mine 'drove perfectly' with worn out suspension bushes, a leaking oil cooler, a faulty AC compressor, worn Aux Belt and tensioner, seized rear calipers, etc, etc.... 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Likewise, mine drives perfectly apart from the alignment being out, at least one sticking rear caliper, the parking brake needing adjustment, a very minor coolant leak and (another) faulty AC compressor.

Mine came with history and the interior is immaculate and beautifully looked after - the moral here is that history or not any 10+ year old vehicle is going to come with problems to address. 2012 (L322) 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE, RSE, Fuji White over Arabica.
Previous V8s: BMW 645Ci, P38 4.6, P38 4.0, Merc CL500
Previous others: Honda x1, Volvo x7, Rover x6, BMW x6, Ford x1, Mercedes x2, Skoda x3, VW x2, Renault x2, Citroen x1, Mazda x3, Nissan x1, Audi x3, Kia x1, Fiat x4, Subaru x3, Austin x2, Triumph x2, Jeep x2, Hyundai x2, Lexus x1, Mitsubishi x1, Saab x2... and some others I've forgotten!

I don't think your car could have drove 'perfectly' with all those faults unless you are blind and deaf and a £5000 pound contingency fund would be out of reach for many people mate.