Used Land Rover Defender for sale: everything you need to know
The current Land Rover Defender has enormous shoes to fill. It follows up from the original Defender launched way back in 1983, which itself was an evolution of the original Land Rover - not the brand, but the model itself which debuted in 1948. The new car launched in 2020 is a very different car, being much more sophisticated, but is still designed to appeal to those who really use their off-roaders hard.
The extra sophistication will make the Defender more appealing to regular SUV buyers though, where its chunky styling, punchy drivetrains and practical cabin all help it compete with conventional premium SUVs. The Defender’s new position in the market makes it more expensive than its predecessor, but buying used means you can save several thousand over a brand new equivalent.
Should you buy a Land Rover Defender?
For a handful of buyers, the less utilitarian approach taken by the latest Defender may rule it out, but we suspect the vast majority of potential buyers will appreciate the improved usability, refinement, and driveability of the latest Defender - and probably be taken by its chunky styling and far better performance too.
Land Rover will still sell you a more utilitarian version too. There’s a three-door 90 body style available, plus various design touches such as steel wheels and earthy colour schemes that fit with the old model’s countryside image. At the same time, there are more urbane options, with big alloy wheels and metallic paint that help it fit in cities and on motorways too - where the Defender is far more relaxing and comfortable to drive than its much-loved predecessor.
Comfort and equipment levels are right up there with more conventional SUVs, but it’s no less able as an off-roader - the Defender is packed with electronic tech to help you navigate tough terrain, but simply having plenty of wheel travel and great approach, break-over and departure angles helps too. Road handling is perfectly acceptable, and the high driving position is always appreciated for visibility.
The most obvious alternatives to the Defender are the similarly retro Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and the Ineos Grenadier - the latter a kind of spiritual successor to the original Defender. Other more conventional SUV rivals include the Audi Q7, BMW X7, and Mercedes GLS.
What’s the best used Land Rover Defender model to buy?
This depends largely on your needs, the biggest difference being whether you’re likely to use the Defender as a main family car, in which case the five-door 110 and 130 will be the most sensible options. The 90 still has rear seats but naturally access will be a little more difficult - though its shorter length makes it more wieldy, both around town and off road. In terms of engines, the six-cylinder diesels make the most sense, with good performance and better economy than the petrol engines.
Used Land Rover Defender fuel economy and performance
- Land Rover Defender D250: No four-cylinders here - you get a 249PS 3-litre six-cylinder diesel in the D250, which gets from 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and achieves 32.1mpg combined in 90 form.
- Land Rover Defender D300: The same six gets a power boost to 300PS in the D300, for a 6.3-second 0-60mph time, and 32mpg combined as the short-wheelbase 90.
- Land Rover Defender P400: The first of the petrols uses a 3-litre turbocharged straight six, with a hefty 400PS. 0-60mph comes up in 5.7 seconds, while economy for the 90 is 24.5mpg.
- Land Rover Defender V8: With supercharged V8 power you get 525PS, and a 0-62mph time of only 4.9 seconds. Economy in 90 form is 19.5mpg.
- Land Rover Defender P400e: Hybrid assistance means the P400e can downsize to a 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol. It still makes 404PS, and 0-60mph comes up in 5.4 seconds. EV range is 27 miles, contributing to up to 85.6mpg in the five-door 110 - it’s not available in the shorter 90.
What used Land Rover Defender trim levels are available?
The latest Defender isn’t the rough-and-ready beast its iconic predecessor was - this is effectively a luxury car, and is specified to account for that. Defenders are available in three-door 90 form, and as 110 and 130 five-doors, plus a commercial van version called the Defender Hardtop.
- The Land Rover Defender isn’t a cheap car new, so equipment levels are pretty generous even for a base model. Engine choice is between the D250, and in 110 form the D300 too.
- The Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic gets different equipment and styling tweaks to the entry level car, and comes with either the D250, D300, or the plug-in P400e.
- The Land Rover Defender XS Edition is further embellished with equipment, while its engine range spans the D250, P400, and the P400e hybrid.
- The Land Rover Defender X tops the standard range and is therefore also the best-equipped, shy of the V8. Engine choice is between the D300 diesel, P400 petrol, and the plug-in P400e.
- The Land Rover Defender V8 stands alone with its eight-cylinder engine and unique details inside and out. It’s also offered in an even higher-spec Carpathian Edition.
Used Land Rover Defender dimensions and boot size
The Land Rover Defender's dimensions are:
- Length: Defender 90 is 4583mm with spare wheel / Defender 110 is 5018 mm with spare wheel
- Width: 2105mm (all versions)
- Height: 1974mm (coil suspension) / 1969mm (air suspension)
- Ground clearance: between 216mm and 290mm depending on suspension setting/spec
The Land Rover Defender 90 boot size is:
- 397 litres
- 1563 litres with rear seats folded
The Land Rover Defender 110 boot size is:
- 499 litres (with all seven seats in place)
- 1946 litres with rear seats folded
Used Land Rover Defender road tax
All Defenders are subject to a surcharge for costing more than £40,000 to buy brand new. This means that petrol and diesel versions will cost you £600 per year to tax while the car is two to six years old, only dropping down to a lower rate from year seven. The plug-in hybrid models are £10 cheaper to tax.
How much is it to insure a Land Rover Defender?
Insurance costs should be about what you’d expect for a large and expensive off-roader, with a basic three-door 90 with the D200 engine starting in group 27 (out of 50), while right at the top of the range, the Defender V8 is in group 48. The five-door 110 spans groups 33 to 47.
