Help needed! I am close to purchase a 2020 110 with 26K miles and need your experienced feedback on what to watch out for. It has all options installed, except HUD.
I’m worried about not knowing the reliability of the Off Road package Rear e-differential and possible issues of the many other electrical components, or is it time to service major components / change belts / pulleys, etc.

Please help me out on what maintenance / issues I would be facing on ‘20 110 or if there is a dramatic improvement on later year models (although harder to find with the Acorn interior I am so inclined to get) like when does the hybrid lithium battery should be replaced, how much $, any coolant line issues I heard of, etc, etc.

I wrench away in my 2014 F15 BMW X5… so not afraid of tackling known issues if they are not going to be a never-ending money-pit with no joys.

I would plan to own this vehicle for the next 10 to 20 years…

I owned long ago a Cherokee and a ‘78 FJ40 so not new to 4x4 but would love to get back into exploring hard to reach places in North Cal, Oregon and one day Ohio
Cheers!

 

The early Defenders are actually more reliable than some of the later ones, which is why I just traded-in our 2023 and kept the 2021. The chip-shortage 2023 was missing things like USB ports, electric steering wheel adjustment, clear sight mirror, 700 watt sound, etc. 2023 had 2 different coolant leaks and a failed software module that took weeks to diagnose and replace since the module is VIN-specific. Our 2021 also has a nicer leather interior and every feature the 2023 was missing. Only problem with the 2021 was a creaking/rattling dashboard that I fixed myself by taking it apart and adding adhesive felt to the back of some dash panels. All quiet since.

At 4 years and 26,000 miles you shouldn't have to do much. Maybe new wipers, cabin filter, brake flush and an oil change. Change the oil every 10K miles, not 21K as recommended. See the sticky oil change video above - it's so easy to do yourself. Brakes are probably a 50K mile item. Belts, pulleys, coolant hoses, spark plugs, suspension parts should all be 100,000 mile items. I took an LR4 to 200K miles and the Defender build quality seems even better than the LR4 so far. Our 2021 with 42K miles feels just as solid as our 2025 with 400 miles.

If the cell service is poor at your house, turn off cellular data and connect the Defender to your home WiFi when you do software updates. And carry a 10mm wrench with you at all times. There could be an issue (like no power steering) where you need to do a hard reset by disconnecting then reconnecting the negative terminal on the battery. My wife even knows how to do it since it pulled that stunt on her while she was away.

 

Should be fine. I have a 2020 and it's no worse / better than the 2021 - 2024 models based on my anecdotal knowledge of owners with newer models. Go for it. They're quite reliable, I think you'll probably love it. Some version of this similar electronically locking rear differential has been in service since at least the start of the L404/L494 (2013/2014 model year) and although part #'s are different, it's similar and they are pretty reliable. Sometimes they clunk and need fluid changes. Listen for clunking at deceleration / turning at your first slow down at the first stop sign after moving in the morning.

P400 motor? or P300? Either is pretty good.
How many miles?

I put a hidden winch and Aussie metal bullbar on the front of mine, which gets a good bit of use. Also lifted it 1.5" with 33" (bigger diameter) tires and absolutely love how cool it looks. Note: My advice would be immediately put better tires on it - K02's/Wildpeaks in a larger size or similar. That's your biggest difference in capability offroad.

Other Accessories? JLR Roofrack, dog guard inside, waterproof seat covers front and rear for me, and the side ladder are great to use too.

Basically it's a big toy. A big grown up toy. I freaking love it.
Here's me lounging in a creek this past Saturday. And then in the dunes the Saturday prior...


Cabin Creek Road in Snoqualmie Forest, WA

Florence Sand Dunes, OR

 

The issues with the rear diff clunking are overblown. It is completely normal for the rear diff to clunk a bit. It is just some friction in the diff. I had this confirmed by the folks at the LR Experience centers in Asheville, NC and the one at the factory in Solihull, England. Plus, one of my friends who is a development engineer at JLR who worked on the Defender also told me it is normal. I would recommend changing the diff fluid earlier than the recommended 62k miles, especially if you plan on doing a lot of off-roading or driving in harsher conditions.

I wouldn't worry about anything. I've had my 2021 110 S for nearly four years and 38k miles. Other than a handful of software glitches, it has been flawless except for the ECU for the fuel pump, which went bad and left me stranded a month after I took delivery.

Like​​​​​@nashvegas said, get some proper tires; the maximum diameter you can fit without adding rods or trimming the fender lining is 32.6." I'm also running Falken Wildpeaks. Excellent tires. Great off-road, exceptional wet and snow performance and they aren't too loud at highway speeds. Also, he's right. This thing is a toy for grown-ups. My Defender is one of the most fun vehicles I've ever driven - and that list includes 911s, Boxsters/Caymans, AM V8 Vantage, Toyota GR86, F-Types etc. It isn't fun in the sense of driving dynamics & precision (although the Defender has excellent driving dynamics for an off-road oriented SUV). It is fun in the fact that you can go anywhere and do anything in a Defender. This vehicle does just about everything I could ask of it - it is so incredibly capable. I can go tackle the toughest terrain on a Saturday, pull up to the nicest steakhouse on Sunday, and then drive to work during the week in style & comfort. It really is the Swiss Army knife of the car world.

Buy it - I promise you won't regret it!

 

I wouldn't touch an out of warranty Defender. If you want one that bad then buy new. My two cents. You might regret it either way but at least with new you're CYA with stuff that fails. If you do order new I personally wouldn't bother with that extra diff either, it's more to go wrong and the vehicle is plenty capable without it.

 

Thanks for the detailed feedback you guys!
I’m running out of mental bandwidth on why NOT to purchase it. I just hear great things about it so far, even from a couple of colleagues.

I called the dealer, regretfully i’ts warranty expired 10 days ago, JLR won’t be able to extended it although it only has 26k miles.

Their 3rd party warranty (Assurance) platinum supposedly will cover everything as a new car would… for about 5 to 6 grand…. I’m talking for covering 60 to 75 K more miles respectively.

i live in LA and have read a few other posts about coverage being really expensive, and disproportionately if kept in CA as I can’t purchase insurance out of state apparently.

I don’t know if the warranty is worth it. The piece of mind yes, but thankfully I never had issues with vehicles before 80 to 90k miles on them,
(I know it is not the same for other states, but Labor hours here are higher anyways)

 

I've never been a fan of aftermarket warranties and prefer to just save the money for actual repairs. There is always some disclaimer where it states parts are pro-rated and you pay part of every repair. I did spend over $10K on LR4 repairs and maintenance, but most of that was on suspension parts that wore out after 150K miles. Again, not sure a warranty would cover parts that simply wore out after 150K miles. Then there is that risk of an accident that totals the vehicle and you certainly wasted your money on that warranty.

 

Are you buying this from a Land Rover dealership or a car lot? I personally would stay away from 3rd party warranties. My indy LR mechanic said this to me a long time ago. Did that 3rd party warranty do a inspection of the car? They have no idea the condition and they will do their best to deny as many claims a possible.

 

Yeah, this Defender is at a BMW dealership, I guess it was a trade-in. They do offer their 1 year warranty as they have gone through the vehicle, and at only 26k miles it shouldn’t have any major issues (fingers crossed).

I have never liked nor purchased 3rd party warranties, because I’m a skeptical guy, work on my own cars, and believe those are expensive scams… until you need them of course! But going into a vehicle with a million gizmos and sensors kinda makes me wish for backup, in case my wife has to carry that 10mm wrench at all times like PauLR advices me. I can’t wait till she gives me “the look” on my purchase decision-making rights although she is even more mechanically apt than me and great at wrenching and repairing all sort of things… (dearly nicknamed by me MacGyver)
PauLR, I salute you & your wife!

 

I agree, I don't like the idea of a third-party warranty as an add-on like this after the factory warranty has already expired. They have to build a huge cushion into the risk which is why the price of the warranty is a good bit higher than the extended one I bought which was only sold with a brand new defender purchased from the JLR dealership. This is just gamble or don't gamble. You're saving money presumably by buying it preowned so if you're willing to gamble just go with it, sounds like you really like it and you folks seem handy enough to tolerate whatever may come down the road. Me personally I would spec out a 65-ish k build and order new but everyone's situation, budget, time etc is unique. What I wouldn't do might be fine for the right kind of person in different circumstances. Good luck with it if you take the plunge! I hope it runs strong for many years without issue.