The Land Rover Freelander is the nation’s favourite SUV, with more than 200,000 examples finding homes in the UK alone since 1997.
Used prices start from only a few thousand pounds, and the model’s attractive combination of car-like dynamics, excellent value for money and smart styling explains its popularity on second-hand forecourts.
However, this off-roader isn’t without its headaches, and early cars in particular faced numerous gremlins – which makes the job of finding a good one more difficult than you’d imagine. Here, we show you how to avoid the most common pitfalls when buying the Land Rover baby.
What to look for
Performance from the K Series 1.8-litre isn’t particularly good, while the four-cylinder powerplant’s well documented cooling problems can lead to head gasket failure and costly repair bills. The V6 petrol unit is thirsty, and when it comes to diesel models, the noisy Di engine is to be avoided.
If used hard, the Steptronic automatic transmission fitted as standard to the 2.5 V6 can fail. So on models with tow bars, find out what they have been pulling – there are enough weak spots in the Freelander’s drivetrain without putting it under extra stress. The Td4 oil-burner is the only sensible choice for most buyers.
Checklist
Engines: best buy is the Td4. The 1.8 K Series has a very low coolant capacity, so even small leaks can lead to blown head gaskets. Check oil filler cap for white goo.
Transmission: a whining noise from the gearbox may mean differential or gearbox wear, while a clonking suggests the bushes and driveline joints need to be replaced.
Leaks: look under the car, but examine the ground for gearbox and differential oil leaks. Also, be very suspicious of examples which have recently been steam-cleaned.
Damp cabin: water often gets into the cockpit, so check the footwells and load bay. Carpets will go mouldy and the floorpans can rot, so have a good look under the trim.
Alternatives
There was a time when the Land Rover had the 4x4 market to itself, but Japanese rivals have since stolen a march on the Freelander. Cars such as the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 all offer superior reliability, with good dynamics, generous equipment and reasonable off-road performance. What they can’t match is the affordability, image and availability of the Freelander.
Author: Richard Dredge
Land Rover Freelander