You'd be surprised in my case. It was early January and 3 degrees, so impossible to effectively check a modern AC system with variable compressor. Alignment on the rear doesn't give any obvious signs of a problem other than odd tyre wear in many cases (and certainly not on a 20min test drive). Parking brake only shows up on a reasonable slope, the coolant leak is approximately 50ml per 1000mi, and the sticky rear caliper only came to light after an emergency braking event. 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!

kevinp wrote:

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.

A test drive in a Range Rover will show the comfort, performance and quality. Depending on the drivers previous vehicles and car experience will govern how noticeable any residual faults there are.

Yes if there are serious issues these should be noticeable but worn bushes etc may not be. A test drive should demonstrate smooth imperceptible gear changes, no vibrations or pulling under braking and no smoke on hard acceleration when second turbo cuts in.

Then it is down to body and interior condition, are the tyres a quality matching set is often a sign of a caring previous owner. 2012 tdv8 Westminster arrived Jan 19 gone Dec 23

200 TDi discovery bobtail gone
RR classic v8 bobtail gone
300 tdi Discovery 3 dr gone

Cheers guys.

Was set for taking it but did an hpi as I always do before leaving a deposit and it is CAT N last year. A pity. I'll offer 3 grand less based on that and if he takes it fine if not fine. It wasn't structural and I believe its still a good car. But must be priced accordingly.

I have followed the "rule" that CAT cars should be at least 25-30% cheaper than an equivalent non CAT car. If you've already discounted it for lack of history then are you sure that another £500 is enough to make it value? Sounds pretty unloved to me but I haven't seen it to be fair Dec 2021- 2010 Facelift TDV8 4.4 AB in Stornoway Grey.

Sorry yes I agree with you. I meant a further 3 grand.

He claimed he didn’t know and won’t drop another penny based on the new information so it’s back on the hunt.

Yes, I would and did, although I’m confident enough in my knowledge of cars and these that I could potentially spot a bad one, i bought mine 3 years ago, at the time it had not had a service for then 2 years prior to me buying it, it started and ran perfectly, test drove it and no knocks, bangs- steered straight and everything worked so I was happy- had 150k on the clock too. Other than the odd bits and bobs and stuff wearing out like alternators, battery, front air struts- she’s been good as gold, I had to replace the turbos, not the fault of the car- the last person to touch the oil filter didn’t put it in properly and failed to locate the lug on the filter into the housing which over time starved the already leggy turbos of oil- it’s now on 195k and going strong!!!
Moral of the story- listen to your instincts 2009 (2010 MY) 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography
2007 TDV8 Vogue SE
2005 BMW E63 645ci
2024 Porsche Macan

I will agree with what others have said about stamps on a service book. Condition is the most important. MOT history also. I understand that UK MOT standards are probably higher; here a clear MOT paper says nothing, really, but the mileage.
A 5K contingency fund sounds about right for the first year of ownership, at least.
I would certainly do an oil change all around if I had zero records to go with but even if I did have some reference, I'd still do the engine oil change regardless, then schedule the rest of the fluids and oils down the road.
I did buy mine without any history, just a tip that the gearbox had been replaced under warranty and had less than 50K Km on it.

All’s well that ends well. Went to see one today and it was as good as it gets. October 2012 Westminster, 91k, full history with oil cooler done. No marks on body or wheels, drives perfectly. Did a deal on the spot and drove it home.

Will book it in for a transmission service/axels/transfer box etc. It won’t do many miles with me but it’s a lovely thing to have sitting.

Thanks for all the help and advice guys. Glad I didn’t settle for the first one now.

Excellent news. May you have many years wearing the RR smile.

Still love mine, over 7 years in.
 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

@lightning I’d also suggest buying a GAP IID tool (there is one for sale on the forum) I’ve had one since my old D3 days, they are invaluable and very quickly pay for themselves in diagnosis / coding… Cheers, Steven.

2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8.

Cheers guys!

I figured most things out except how to pair my phone. Just getting this screen, iPhone not picking up any signal from the range. Any suggestions? It’s probably glaringly simple.

Click image to enlarge

Any use?

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congrats , sounds great.  overfinch modified