I'm looking to purchase a used 2002-2003 Discovery SE and wanted to know what I should be looking for during my inspection. I've purchased used SUV's before but this will be my first Land Rover and I've heard the usual horror stories about them and don't want to make a serious mistake. Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Look at the top of the DII forum page, there is a "must read" thread, click on that and at the bottom of the page you will find some guidelines.

 

Run like heel while you still have money... lol no but seriously please do extensive extensive research before buying someone's problems please read as much as you can and listen and understand how important a pre purchase inspection is from rover or a indy shop.

 

have the truck checked over by someone that knows land rovers, it will be money well spent

 

Make sure you find one with a good tick sound......They run forever.....

Make sure you have alot of time on your hands to work on it.....

And another vehicle is a plus....

Good set of tools is also helpfull....

Make sure you add this site to your favorites......

or you could just forgetaboutit and run........

All jokes aside I love mine......

 

Check the VIN range for the oil pump recall
Check for the tick (but if it doesn't have it, it will)
Be SURE you're happy with the performance (acceleration and mpg) as is!!!
If this is going to be your DD, have an emergency fund of at least $2.5K set aside.

 

1:Chris what area of the country are you in?
2:What dollar range are you looking to spend?
3:How mechanical are you?
4: o you understand these are not the best on mpg?
5:Please understand that it is expensive to have a shop work on these trucks and you will save thousands if you can perform the work yourself.
6:keep in mind the best information you will find will come from here and we are not trying to scare you away. However we do want you to know this is a expensive vehicle to maintain and everything must be kept up after to prevent breakdowns. Most of us will never sell our D II's you can cancel your subscription to the discovery channel, just jump in the rover a go see all that stuff in person!!!

 

Skip 03... get a 98-01.

 

Mechanical skills are a crutch!!!

 

Avoid 2003 at all costs.
2004 looks cool. Has modern lights. But, engine may be a time bomb.

2000 - 2001 - boring looking compared to 2003/2004.
But, engine is probably going to last longer.

Center diff has a CDL lock function which you CAN activate from under the car..
Well, only the hard core do that anyway.

For looks - 2004.
For better engine - 2000 to 2001.

2003 - avoid avoid avoid.