Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 Reviews

Click here if this is your business
Land Rover Defender 110 TD5
★★★★☆
3.7
69.0% of users recommend this
Click here if this is your business
  • Performance

  • Practicality

  • Reliability

  • Value For Money

? Ask our helpful community of experts about this product or company
Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 - Ask a question now

Media Gallery for Land Rover Defender 110 TD5

Refine your search

  • Average Rating Over Time
  • Within the last month ***** (From 0 reviews)
  • Within the last 6 months *** (From 0 reviews)
  • Within the last 12 months * (From 0 reviews)

Latest Reviews

“really reliable machine”

★★★★★

written by on 01/08/2013

I have had my td5 defender for about 12 years ,has done many miles off road and has now done around 210,000 miles and has has cost me very little on repairs and it still runs like a clock

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Amazing 4x4”

★★★★★

written by RoboDouche on 17/01/2013

When you buy a Defender your not only getting the greatest 4x4 of all time but one of the most iconic vehicles ever made. When you buy one your joining a club. Get ready for other Defender owners to wave to you as you drive by. Kids will want you to take them driving just because it looks so different. If the Defender were a man it'd have a chest full of War medals. These are the vehicles that opened up Australia and Africa. They've been the choice of Armies the world over for decades and for good reason. And best of all they don't age like other cars. The old ones look like the new ones! 200, 300TDi's are great but a little gutless. If you can get a TD5 even better and they tune up great if you need more power. Keep up the service and these vehicles will literally last forever. Learn to work on them, they are agricultural and quite simple when you get a little experience. Watch out for idiots who have owned and abused them. These cars are designed to go through hell and back but they need to be serviced properly so watch out for Defenders that have been neglected or submerged in salt water. Find a good workshop and beware of mechanics who lack Land-rover knowledge their ignorance will cost you money. I really do think there are a generation of mechanics that only know how to work on mainstream vehicles. These are the guys that will burn you beware. They say that 70% of these vehicles are still on the road since they were released in 1948 which is a testament not only to their reliability and quality but to their worth as a classic or collectible vehicle. Buy a good one look after it and you may never buy another car again.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“living with a TD% defender 110”

★★★★★

written by pjh4159 on 13/03/2012

I am sorry to hear the first review on this site and can only assume the previous owner had ruined the engine prior to selling to this owner. I have a 2002 TD5 and have had absolutely no reliability problems with it in the 10 years I have owned it. I have traveled in 45 degree heat towing a 2.5 ton caravan all over Australia. the big difference with most poor reviews and satisfied owners is that most of the dissatisfied owners rely on the dealers for service and repairs who are generally not looking for why the failure occured but how quickly they can get the customer out the door and how much money can be made on this. I have never had my vehicle to anyone for service and only rely on specialist landrover companies for parts and advise. These vehicles are generally very well made but can always be improved on as with any brand. I hope to keep my defender until it is a considered a classic in car shows and I am to old to drive which is 30 or more years away yet.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 1

“THE WORST 4X4 BY FAR”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 25/01/2012

This is by far the worst Land Rover ever manufactured. After almost three years of ownership, it's time to say bi bi rubbish. I have spend a fortune in repairs and the end is still not in sight. In three years the engine was replaced four times, the turbo blew, the wiring harness failed and we could never go on holiday in the last three years, as the Land Rover never made it to any destination without getting stuck with major mechanical failure and it let's you down everytime in the middle of nowhere. It is extremely expensive to maintain and the cost of spares are extremely high, let alone the fuel consumption and the ripp off from Land Rover dealerships in service schedules. Engine replacement warranties by Land Rover means nothing as there are always excuses not to honour these warranties/Gaurantees Better be without it, there are so many other options. What a disappointment to ever bought and own such a piece of rubbish.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Lightning's Comment

Written on: 20/12/2014

Never heard of one this bad.
What were you doing to the engines to blow them up one after the other?
The TD5 is not a bad unit, proven in the Discovery as well as Defender. l can only assume you drove it beyond it's limits or otherwise badly, or the people who replaced the engine did a bad job.
Or maybe you just bought a dud lol.
Still, sounds like you got shut of it now anyway.

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Willihook's Comment

Written on: 20/12/2014

Thanks mate, no it was just bad luck all the way, never went faster than 100km/h and always tried to care for it, but to no avail. LR Dealerships were the biggest culprits in offering LR approved rebuild engines from "approved engine builders" and then after fitment you find out that it was in fact a sub-assembly with all the old engine parts mounted on the "new" sub-assembly. How can this ever work with a bunch of mechanics that do not have a clue. You see it it all about money and profits.
Land Rover Dealerships in RSA do not care for Defenders as they are on the way out. All they care about is that you buy their lastest product.

Yet, I again bought a 2012 Defender Puma 2,2 from a dealership, beautiful and nice, went back to the dealership with a light switch problem, they want R3987.00 for the switch and to "trace" the fault they charge R540.00. It took me 10 min. to fix the problem at no cost and after sending them to hell forever. Fortunately, I'm immigrating and will not have to deal with these wallies in SA again. I have learned my lesson well in this country. Thanks for your comments at least I can share my experience as well. Cheers

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Willihook's Comment

Written on: 20/12/2014

Thanks mate, no it was just bad luck all the way, never went faster than 100km/h and always tried to care for it, but to no avail. LR Dealerships were the biggest culprits in offering LR approved rebuild engines from "approved engine builders" and then after fitment you find out that it was in fact a sub-assembly with all the old engine parts mounted on the "new" sub-assembly. How can this ever work with a bunch of mechanics that do not have a clue. You see it it all about money and profits.
Land Rover Dealerships in RSA do not care for Defenders as they are on the way out. All they care about is that you buy their lastest product.

Yet, I again bought a 2012 Defender Puma 2,2 from a dealership, beautiful and nice, went back to the dealership with a light switch problem, they want R3987.00 for the switch and to "trace" the fault they charge R540.00. It took me 10 min. to fix the problem at no cost and after sending them to hell forever. Fortunately, I'm immigrating and will not have to deal with these wallies in SA again. I have learned my lesson well in this country. Thanks for your comments at least I can share my experience as well. Cheers

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Lightning's Comment

Written on: 24/04/2015

Can't believe how bad a lot of the dealers are, as you say they just don't seem to care.
My Defender 110 has never been back to the dealer, l found a local independant specialist who care about their work.
There are whole forums dedicated to bad customer service at SA Land Rover dealers.
If you ever buy one again, buy from a local independant dealer. Used Land Rovers are a minefield as many have seen off road use/abuse, farm use, heavy towing, amateur repairs etc leaving you to foot the bill....

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I've owned and driven most utility Land Rovers from...”

★★★★☆

written by on 09/03/2011

I've owned and driven most utility Land Rovers from the SII on, in assorted petrol and diesel forms. My personal favourite was the Defender 300TDi, but when the chance came to swap it for a 2002 TD5 Dual-Cab Pickup I couldn't resist. Not least because it was a Land Rover Special Vehicles build that had been used by Land Rover themselves. It's supposedly base spec, but has all sorts of do-dads.
Anyway, we use it on our croft for transporting everything from weaner pigs to 500 litres of water to 750kg of pig feed to boulders. It tows our fully loaded livestock trailer. And when it's not being used as a work truck, it's also the family vehicle carrying four of us, plus dog and camping gear. It cruises effortlessly at 70mph, ploughs up hills with 10-15% gradients in fourth, and stops extremely well (especially compared to our old rear-drum braked 300TDi).
Downsides? It's noisy inside, but unlike the 300TDi we can actually hear the radio when the engine is running. We had to put an aftermarket wheel rack on the back as the standard one in the traybed takes up too much space. And the rear seats are really not up to scratch in this day and age-not even head rests. Fuel consumption isn't that hot with a decent load on board: 21-22mpg. And I can no longer do all the maintenance work myself thanks to all the computer doo-hickeys.
Upsides? We can load it up, stick the family on board, cross a ploughed field, plough through deep snow (we have mud and snow tyres), pull out tree stumps, tow farm implements, and use it as mobile scaffolding. And people wave to us/give us a thumbs up.
As a go anywhere utility truck that can also double as a family car, it's great. But if you want a nice, quiet, comfortable ride, look elsewhere.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I have owned a defender 110 td5 for a year and half...”

★★★★☆

written by on 04/03/2009

I have owned a defender 110 td5 for a year and half now. It has covered nearly 100000 miles and still drives like a dream. With regular servicing this is a fantatic 4 wheel. Even if not to everyones taste and it's no sports car, but can do a thousand and one jobs for you.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I have grown up with toyotas and land rovers both are...”

★★★★★

written by ryan defender on 09/01/2009

I have grown up with toyotas and land rovers both are exellent 4x4,s but land rover is tops. funny my father drives a land cruiser 100 vx 4.2tdi and I drive a defender 110 td5. The only thing the land cruiser has over the defender is the 1hd-t 4.2tdi motor over the td5.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I have had very good experiences with the Defenders I...”

★★★★★

written by SteveBidders on 10/12/2008

I have had very good experiences with the Defenders I have owned; it is essential to keep on top of routine maintain and this I understand is not for everyone, but if you want a car that has some caricature and over 60 year of history a Defender is for you. I will take the risk in getting angry replies from the many Land Rover fans by saying there are probably better 4X4, from Toyota and Nissan in particular, but these cost far more to buy (in Europe anyway) and are lacking in other areas.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Guest's Response to SteveBidders's Review

Written on: 15/06/2012

You are lucky .My td5 bought new serviced ever 10000 kls blew a diff at 76000 kls.cost 5400 to repair.out of warrenty.no help from landrover australia.Sill very low kls for a diff. also had other hassels with the car. not happy at all.

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“There is no point buying the Land Rover Defender TD5...”

★★★★★

written by on 17/06/2008

There is no point buying the Land Rover Defender TD5 with your eyes closed. It's a serious workhorse that comands respect from all who drives it and all who faces one in a narrow lane. No it's not the quickest or most comfortable over long journeys but idea for most occasions.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I wish the Japanese had built the Land Rover Defender...”

★★★☆☆

written by gregz1 on 07/10/2005

I wish the Japanese had built the Land Rover Defender instead. But then they say they did and redesigned it as the Landcruiser! Notwithstanding that the Landcruiser lacks any romance compared to a Landy...Given that I have been slowy rebuilding my landy to what it should be to deal with it's inadequacies.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Gregz1's Response to gregz1's Review

Written on: 08/10/2005

By The way just so no one thinks I am somehow being a bit harsh on Landy let me list the mechanical faults that have occured since 2000 on my landy:
<br>1) Replaced gearbox (entire)
<br>2) Replaced Engine Management Unit (twice)
<br>3) Replaced Turbocharger (twice-probably my fault but still how expensive is a turbo protector which you are not allowed to fit to preserve the warranty-crazy!)
<br>4) Rattling rear windows are unfixable!
<br>5) Leaking rain water through windscreen and doors.
<br>6) 3 out of 5 factory tyres delaminated (continental)
<br>7) Back door cracked through from weight of tyre.
<br>8) Gearbox heat passing into cabin unbearable in African conditions..
<br>9) Electrical problems/alarm/immobilizer
<br>
<br>This exacerbated by really bad & expensive dealer servicing here in South Africa which one is forced to use to not lose one's warranty...

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Lightning's reply to Gregz1's Comment

Written on: 24/04/2015

Another owner reporting poor dealer service in SA.

Some of those faults, such as the leaks and rattles, are part of the Land Rover Defender "personality" and are almost impossible to "repair"

I use my 2005 Defender 110 all day every day and love it, but admit to the compromises over my last vehicle (a Ford van) as it is so much more rewarding to drive. Meaning you actually have to DRIVE it, if you know what l mean.

Mine leaks at times, the rear windows don't rattle though they always did on my last one.

Oh one more thing, it's worth more than l paid for it last year, and almost every customer of my business wants to buy it from me. How many cars can do that?

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I love my Landy but I bought it 18 months old unaware...”

★★★★☆

written by watsong on 05/09/2005

I love my Landy but I bought it 18 months old unaware that the motor had been overheated. It went fine for about 50,000km then the head lifted. The head cannot be repaired so the motor becomes essentially a A$24000-(approx US$19000-)throwaway. Unbelievable that they can get away with this. I put a brand new 6.5L Chev diesel in for about the same cost, fuel economy is similar, it sounds sensational and....performance....The Landy is transformed, obstacles that were a challenge are child's play. I can guarantee from first hand experience that an old fashioned, slow revving, large capacity V8 diesel eats a high tech turbo diesel for breakfast off road - I was stunned at the difference.
Oh yeah, if I have any more engine problems, the Chev is repairable........

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“I have owned and driven all forms of Land Rovers for...”

★★★★★

written by barrycambridge on 19/10/2004

I have owned and driven all forms of Land Rovers for over 20 years and use them as working vehicles & everyday transport, the Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 4x4 are by far the best vehicle for my job as a Tree Surgeon - pulling trailers ( fully laden to 3.5 tonnes), off road use etc.
Land Rovers are not the most comfortable vehicles for Motorway use, but do cope with it and speeds of 70 - 80 mph are no problem.
My current 110 is 10 months old & has covered over 20,000 miles working hard within this period with no faults.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 1 0

“There is a known fault with these Land Rover Defender...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by phillipstovold on 09/10/2003

There is a known fault with these Land Rover Defender 110 Td5 engines - if something fails and they overheat then the engine is destroyed - literally. Land Rover do not accept any responsibility for these engines after four years or over 60 000 miles (whichever is the sooner). Not exactly built to last. This vehicle had a FSH and has never been abused.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 2

Do you have a question about this product or company? Simply type it in the box below and one of our community will give you an answer

Our helpful community of likeminded people will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Thanks for asking a question.

Once we've checked over your question we will put it live on the site and our strong community of experts will hopefully give you some great answers that you find useful.

We will email you when the question is on the site

overview