Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for

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Sat 20 Feb 2016 15:00
Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for - Buzzy Beans

I hope to be buying a low to very low mileage Disco 2 in the coming weeks.

So what should I be looking out for?

My intention is to buy the most basic model I can because they don't have either roof rails or sun roofs, both of which are known to cause major leaks.

I don't know whether to go for an automatic or manual so please tell me your thoughts.

Any help and knowledge will be gratefully received.

Many thanks

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Sat 20 Feb 2016 15:07
Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for - RT

It'll be at least 11 years old - so condition will be everything - obvious more prone to chassis damage from off-roading than conventional cars

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Sat 20 Feb 2016 17:37
Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for - NARU

I've helped on a few from time to time.

Try to avoid the self levelling air suspension.

Check all the electrics carefully.

Active cornering can be a nightmare

The upturned section of the rear chassis immediately forward of the rear crossmember is prone to rusting. MOT failure as structural

You don't mention if you're looking diesel or V8. If I were buying one I'd consider the V8, especailly if I was looking to do low mileage.

Me? I went for a landcruiser instead.

Edited by Marlot on 20/02/2016 at 17:38

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Sun 21 Feb 2016 14:49
Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for - injection doc

make sure you have a very good relationship with your local independant 4x4 specialist and a big fat wallet !

nosiey, slow, wandery and not very good for towing, thirsty and heavey on Road tax

If you buy a diesel unplug the wiring harness to the ECU and if there is oil in the multiplug walk away or spend lots. Chassis rot, water leaks, suspebsion issues, plenty with ABS issues, leaking habs, whinning transfer units......

there is plenty out there that is a lot more reliable and more capable !

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Sun 21 Feb 2016 20:01
Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for - Avant

If a Disco 2 is 11 years old or more, I don't think any of us on here would recommend it. For the same price you could get something Japanese, and probably newer, which would give you a much better chance of reliability.

Avoid very low mileage: a car that's done, say, 2,000 miles a year on short journeys is probably the worse for wear than one that's done 20,000 a year. Between 8,000 and 12,000 a year is ideal.

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Sun 21 Feb 2016 20:19
Land Rover Discovery 2 - Problems to look out for - gordonbennet

I bought my year 2000 present Landcruiser 95 Colorado last Jan, the chassis looked rusty but still solid just surface rust which wire brushed stright off to reveal all solid, the bodies are very well protected from new.

My lad had been looking at Disco 2's for some time (cheaper than same year Landcruisers), he wanted one of the last batch with Isofix etc, he, like me gets straight under any potential vehicle before bothering even knocking on the dealer's door, he was shocked by how much and how bad the chassis rust he found on most, he had a good poke nose under my LC and pronounced it to be as new compared to the Discos several years newer...so Disco 2 idea scrapped, he wouldn't consider a Disco 3 because we know people who have dabbled to their wallet emptying cost.

You can do much better for your money.

Edited by gordonbennet on 21/02/2016 at 20:20

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