I'm off to look at a low mileage '62 plate Westminster on Saturday. If all looks good, I'll be parting with my hard-earned.

I think I know most of the usual stuff to check, but are there any particular things or advice anyone can offer in relation to the run-out TdV8 model? I'm particularly interested in any potential negatives of the low mileage - it's clearly been a well looked after car, but is there any knock-on impact that LACK of use might have had? It's averaged a little less than 4k a year!

Thanks 2014 3.0 SDV6 Sport HSE Corris Grey with Ebony/Cirrus
GONE - 2012 TdV8 Westminster Orkney/Ivory
GONE - 2012 3.0 SDV6 Sport HSE Luxury Orkney Grey/Ivory
GONE - 2006 3.0 Td6 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue/Parchment

Is it Approved Used from a franchised dealer? Personally I would only ever buy a fairly new RR from one because it will come with the 'Approved Used' promise of being excellent in every respect or they will sort it. You should also be able to negotiate an additional 2 years of LR warranty from them which you will not get from a private dealer.

I bought my '62 plate Westminster in late December and it has just returned from a £3000 warranty claim that involved removing the engine! I am so glad I didn't buy one of the non-franchised cars I looked at!

The later FFRRs seem to have upper tailgates made from paper mache.

Check all around the corners for corrosion, also inspect where the corners of the rear screen glass meet the tailgate, the rubber trim nearly always blisters.

Good luck!  2006 4.2 SC
2019 Renault Zoe Dynamique Nav

We've just bought one on the LR approved site. Getting delivered today.

Some 2nd hand garages can be terrible to deal with after purchase but you have the LR approved 2 year backing to get issues sorted out. Also on this forum is LRCS who actually helped me in purchasing my car. I wasn't happy with the condition of the brakes on it and LRCS called to get info. Dealer then changed the discs and pads.

Thanks and good point Stoutgoose. I should have said.

Yes, it is from a main dealer. Like you, I wouldn't want to take the risk on a private/non-franchise sale. It does indeed come with a 2-yr approved warranty, so that gives me a lot of reassurance.

I'm thinking of things like Diesel Partculate Filter. Not really something I can test and I suspect it's something the warranty wouldn't cover if it was knackered due to lots of short journeys. I know the DPF has been a problem on some BMWs with a history of short journeys, but I don't know how much the horror stories of expensive replacements are old wives tales. I'm assuming that the occasional decent drive at motorway speeds is always enough to clean it up and I believe the OBD flags up when the DPF is full?

Other than that it's just a case of anything else that might suffer from lack of use. Low ratio gears perhaps? Not that I imagine I'll ever tackle much more than the odd grass verge! 2014 3.0 SDV6 Sport HSE Corris Grey with Ebony/Cirrus
GONE - 2012 TdV8 Westminster Orkney/Ivory
GONE - 2012 3.0 SDV6 Sport HSE Luxury Orkney Grey/Ivory
GONE - 2006 3.0 Td6 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue/Parchment

Mine (Sept 2012 WM) has had a leak of gear oil at the join between the engine and gearbox (new gearbox required) and two battery drains due to software problems (fuel burning heater and locking). The software issues seem random and I'm not sure how one could check for that.
The main low mileage issue that occurs to me is seizure of rear brakes. Mine had been a demonstrator, so not used much and the rear discs were not great when I got it. The RR system where the rear brakes are only used in heavy braking or when the car is heavily loaded does not help, especially when the car is used in salty/muddy conditions resulting in lots of muck being thrown into the rear wheel area. My rear brakes have seized and been overhauled/freed up once already (after maybe 18,000miles) and I expect more of the same.
I have had a number of corrosion issues: upper tailgate, upper tailgate struts, window surround trims (twice), strips along sides of rear window, set of wheels, all replaced under LR paintwork warranty and rear wheel arch rust, where I am currently speaking to LR Customer Relations about LR's rejection of my claim under that warranty.
Also fitting problems with door seals, driver door causing noise, rear passenger side causing water leak, rear door wheel arch rubber trim, all sorted under warranty, seals repositioned and trim replaced.
All of that said I still like it and apart from maybe a 405 cannot think of anything that would be better. Only Range Rovers since 1988

elbi,

We've just bought a 2012 4.4TDV8 with v low miles and so far it seems to be a cracker.

Due diligence is the watchword and don't be in too much of a rush to get the car from them if you're buying. Give them time to prepare it as you want it prepared. Give them a written (point of commitment to sale) snags list (if there are any). Number any snags and they can tick them off as they go. You can then do likewise before you drive away.

Even if you've missed stuff before driving away that doesn't detract from your rights if unreasonable issues were obviously pre-existing (whether warranty matters or not).

Due diligence and taking your time is key. Don't assume that because it is A.U that they'll have fine tooth combed the car. Do assume you're paying a premium for the privilege of buying A.U and so challenge any lazy approach by Sales staff to the effect that shortcomings are "to be expected of a car this age and mileage".

Check the following:

1. Log book to confirm it has had the number of keepers they tell you it has, including how long the last keeper had it.

2. Service booklet. Ask them to email you a scanned copy. Then contact each stamped garage and ask them for copy invoices and/ or to confirm this work was done and whether there were any advisories and if they have records of unattended to work, including any bodywork or accident repairs completed.

3. Warranty work - if you have the Reg No. and/or VIN number, a LR parts depth can email you full copies of any warranty work undertaken.

If they edit out the previous customer's name and address/ personal details there are no DPA issues with such requests and when buying ours, garages happily supplied this service and maintenance history information.

Ask the selling dealer if they've done the brake hose recall and if not, make sure they replace the hoses before you collect.

What Ryan said.

Let them take their time to get the car right, the main thing it to thoroughly check the history, and go round the car over and over, even then there are some things you won't spot until you get the car home. My advice would be to buy as local as you can, then you will be able to use the supplying dealer to rectify any problems you have. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Thanks all. All very good advice, although there is one small flaw...

Much as I promised myself that I wouldn't travel too far to buy a car again (having had previous experience of cars that weren't worth the journey or the hassle of sorting out post-sale issues over long distance), the car I have my deposit on is 225 miles away! It does look a good one though!

Ah well, it's a day out! 2014 3.0 SDV6 Sport HSE Corris Grey with Ebony/Cirrus
GONE - 2012 TdV8 Westminster Orkney/Ivory
GONE - 2012 3.0 SDV6 Sport HSE Luxury Orkney Grey/Ivory
GONE - 2006 3.0 Td6 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue/Parchment

To, pld118
Would you be so kind as to expand on the brake hose recall, I noticed mine were a bit worse for ware on my 2012.
I have had the rear pipes replaced on a previous 2010 FF a few years ago under warranty.

Hi Woodchip, it's on this recent thread:

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic30287....ose+recall

The recall on the brake hose (P054) has now been launched in the UK. Land Rover will be writing to the registered keepers of the affected vehicles to advise them of the recall. Any vehicle that falls within the relevant VIN range (6A198146 - CA393639) should be booked in for the necessary recall action to be completed.

This is a good thread too.

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic31669....dification

Get up to speed on the turbo drain modification. Not a major issue but can be a bit embarrassing if you obscure the car behind with smoke.

I occasional hear a dull but noticeable wind noise hum at 40-50mph but only occasionally. not sure if this is common.

Make ensure the locking wheel nut is in its holder next to the spare wheel (foam insert in the chocks).

And I also noticed this on mine so might be worth checking:

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic30721.html

Also check for tyre wear on the inner shoulders – 4 wheel alignment seems a regular issue.

Good hunting  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Great thread as also looking - sorry did a seperate request - not sure how I missed this  Paul
L405 now sold