So took a huge trip down to pick up the above car, looked great on the pics but after close inspection I just had a feeling the car wasn't right.

On tick over there was a rattle almost like the noise you would get from a cat shield rattling on idle if it were loose. I had a look underneath but couldn't see anything

The underneath had a fair degree of surface rust now maybe thats not a problem but it just compounded the inspection.

For me the signs that killed it was the rear parking sensors had been replaced (hence why the bumper brackets were broken) and they hadn't been painted or the paint had come off...one had been put back in using gorilla glue i mean who would do that which makes me wonder what else has been brittle fixed.

One of the deployable sidesteps was slow coming out and was erratic.

The rear arch where part of the rear bumper is was clacking and brittle with rust...

The car had no paperwork relating any the service history which worried me also I a felt I was buying blind...i don't know anything thats been replaced or not and that fact alone was the most worrying of all, he mentioned the 2 rear air suspension bags had been done under warranty but FFS show me some comfort that this had been done and your not pulling my chain.

Why would someone not claim on the anti corrosive warranty (when it was within the 6 years) to address the arches etc beggars belief!

So now in a hotel looking to get the 1st train out tomorrow morning. Range Rover SC 35th Anniversary 2006

Last edited by barrieeld on 17th Oct 2018 9:36pm. Edited 1 time in total

Sometimes you've got to trust your instincts and put it down to experience. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

I guess a private sale?

That’s disappointing given your journey. But definitely better to wait for the right car. You did the right thing given your concerns.

You did the right thing. Order another beer  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

it feel like i done the right thing but travelling 5 hours + to see the car put me a but under pressure to buy it...i prob would have if he knocked £1500 off the price but even then I would be worried it was a money pit.

The guy said the car just sits in his lockup and never gets used...its done about 4000 miles in the last 18 months since he's had it which also worries me...

On paper it ticked the boxes it was serviced by main dealers and really good specialists but looking at the car it just cried out "unloved" Range Rover SC 35th Anniversary 2006

Barrie, what a shame.
I feel for you mate, but I think you did the right thing.

I travelled by train from Gatwick up to Yorkshire direction to look at my AB Black. There were a couple of issues, but nothing like you are talking about, and a small amount of money couldnt put right.

Sometimes like you say you just get the feeling its either unloved or has issues.
I always question why someone would not bother to keep all the service paperwork unless they have something to hide, or it has holes in it.

I don't think low miles is particularly a problem. I do less than 10k miles a year now, and that gets split across 3 cars.

There will be another one come along at some point. Too many toys, not enough time

2011 4.4 TDV8 AB Black

I know how you feel. When I bought my current one I’d been to see 11 other cars. My all RR but had many a wasted journey.

I can sympathise with your plight - it typically takes us anywhere between 3 and 5 months to find the right one one when it comes to change time.

All part of the fun though - better to take the short term hit and pain and not buy rather than be lumbered with something which is a money pit and has no future.

When I bought mine I was not even looking had just about sorted my D3 so was quite happy then only went to look at the FF but it looked and felt right bought from a dealer who was very open , he told me to take the car for a drive for as long as I want on return he put up on his ramps and said to me inspect it as much as you want that's what sealed the deal for me and swmbo went crackers not for the first time or I would imagine the last .
Sometimes if it feels right or wrong then it probably is yours will pop up eventually good luck

You were absolutely right to walk away. A poorly maintained 322 can be a horrible money pit and a depressing experience.

The answer to your (OP's) question why someone would not claim on the corrosion warranty in respect of rusty rear wheel arches is maybe that the owner did try, but LR refused to honour the warranty, citing "external influence - weather conditions". That is what happened to me (322 WM 2 1/2 years old). This in the context of a UK supplied car, not an import from Dubai, Arizona, W Australia etc. I'm still cross about it. Once they are gone it's an expensive repair as the rear quarters are structural. The later cars (mine was Sept 2012) seem more prone to corrosion, upper tailgate, brake pipes, door trims, tailgate support cables, wheels, all also susceptible. Only Range Rovers since 1988