12th Jun 2004, 13:03

I have also had terrible problems with build quality on my 2001 TD5 90. During the first year of ownership the vehicle was off the road for 6 weeks (mostly corrosion problems + clutch master cylinder replacement). I thought that I had just had bad luck and was considering buying a 2004 replacement - but having looked over a new defender in my local showroom it seems the build quality is even worse than it was two and a half years ago. Perhaps they just don't care any longer because the defender is due to be replaced at the end of 2005.

21st May 2006, 15:19

I bought a new 2005 Defender 90 TD5 Ltd Edition. Build quality is very poor and car was very expensive. The vehicle leaked like a sieve with water ingress through rear wheel arches; Guttering by drivers door and rear window. I have previously owned Free landers and both let me and my family down whilst going on holiday - Rear diff failure and fuel injector failure. These are just some of the problems of experienced!

29th Aug 2006, 07:54

I own a 1998 Defender 90 Tdi, and it is a great car. Not one single problem whatsoever.

30th Dec 2006, 04:57

Does anybody have a problem with a jerky accelerator in their Td5 Defender?? Because I do and can't seem to get past it. Besides that I think it a brilliant vehicle.

12th Feb 2007, 11:57

My 2000 110 TD5 was (note the "was") the worst Land Rover I've ever owned - and I've had 14 of them. I'm currently settled with a Series III and 1990 110, both ex-MOD and both very good, and a '95 300TDI Discovery, which is also very good even after 214,000 miles. The sad fact is the BMW-era Rovers are just AWFUL. I've yet to meet anyone who works a TD5 Defender that actually likes the engine - the fly-by-wire throttle and management system is totally unsuited to the vehicle. And don’t even think about the appalling build quality…

I am seriously addicted to Land Rovers, but there’s no way I’m buying another new one.