Motoring is all about getting from point A to point B and there are thousands of vehicles that can get you between most point A’s and B’s, but what about when point B is a little bit more remote? Well, for those that want to get there, no matter where ‘there’ is, only one vehicle really cuts the mustard and is always up for the task.
We are of course talking about the legendary Land Rover Discovery, more specifically the 3rd generation of this incredible vehicle. With the Discovery 4 having been around for a significant amount of time and an all new Discovery 5 on its way next year, the price for used Disco 3s is more tempting than ever.
With more than 100 ‘best’ vehicle awards under its belt, we can see why you’d be tempted so we’ve put together a little buyers guide so you know exactly what to look for and what to avoid.
What to Look For
As with all used cars, the three main factors that you need in order to hopefully ensure a good buy are as follows:
- Full Service History – An absolute must!
- Low Mileage – look for around 10-12,000 miles per year and you should be fine, with over 100,000 miles on the clock and you might want to avoid it.
- No Accident Damage – Unless you are positive that the repairs were extensive, walk away.
As well as these essentials, here are some extras that make the Discovery even better:
- Air Suspension – It’s like driving round on a bed of cotton wool.
- 7 Seats – They fold flat anyway so it’s always worth having them.
- Parking Sensors – This is a big car!
- Leather – Fabric is fine but leather is easier to wipe and looks and feels much better.
- Automatic Transmission – Not a must but do you really want to be changing gear all the time?
Things to Avoid
As well as optional extras that you’ll want, there are several options that you should avoid:
- Big Wheels – Yes they look good on this big car but they’ll ruin the ride and also up the tyre cost.
- Sat Nav – a good removable sat nav is cheaper and better than an inbuilt one.
- The V8 – Yes, the Disco can be bought with a whopping great V8 but it probably won’t get to the end of the street before needing filling.
- Chrome – there are an array of chrome options on this car but do you really want to go for that look?
Common Problems
Here we come to the crux of the issue with the Disco 3, it just isn’t all that reliable and there are a few regular niggles that you should check before you buy.
- Park Brake/Brakes – The discovery has an electronic park brake and it is prone to going wrong causing the car to go into limp home mode.
- Electrical System Issues – With such a large car and such complex technology, there were always going to be issues. Make sure you check the stereo, electronic seats and sunroof if fitted.
- Suspension – This car is pushing on for 3 tonnes so it is pretty hard on its suspension, make sure that you check the suspension (definitely worth getting a mechanic to check it).
Bought a Fixer Upper?
With the next generation well into its stride, parts for the Disco 3 are common and becoming less expensive by the day so buying a car that is a little rough around the edges isn’t as dangerous as you may think. Here at CWS 4×4 we specialise in Land Rover spare parts and are sure to have the part you require to turn that tired Disco back into an off-road monster once again. Simply contact us today and one of our specialists will be happy to help.