Used Land Rover Defender for sale: everything you need to know

The Land Rover Defender is an icon reborn, with the tough job of replacing the original Land Rover Defender which had been for sale in one form or another since 1948. 

While the old version was very rough-and-ready and built as a utilitarian workhorse, the latest model is much more of a high quality, high-spec product. With powerful engines, plus lots of comfort, refinement and technology, it's more of a rival to a high-end SUV than a traditional 4x4. Rivals to the latest Land Rover Defender include the Mercedes G-Class and the Audi Q7.

It's still one of the best off-road cars you can buy, with lower level trims and the van version offering plenty of utility. That contrasts with the luxury versions and the V8, which offers storming straight-line performance. Take a look at a Land Rover Defender for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer. 

Should you buy a used Land Rover Defender?

The new Land Rover Defender might be a very different vehicle to the original, but its appeal is broader because it's a much better all-round car to buy or lease. Whether you're looking for a used example for sale, or deals on a new model, there's plenty of choice. 

Although much more modernised it's instantly recognisable on the outside as a Land Rover, with its boxy shape and retro design cues. It'll also allow for a variety of tastes - you can spec it in utilitarian trim with steel wheels and (on the van version) sign writing for your business, or you can go the other way and spec it like a high-end luxury SUV that'll turn heads in London suburbs. 

Inside, too, there is a mixture of practical and upmarket. It's well built, with durable materials and a simple design that should stand up to hard use. But nothing feels basic, there's loads of comfort and technology features and some luxury touches. 

You can buy or lease your Land Rover Defender in three-door 90 form, which is ideal for a couple or a smaller family but isn't roomy for taller adults, or the five-door 110, which offers plenty of space for growing families and a seven-seat option. There's also the Defender Hardtop in both bodystyles, with either two seats or five seats and a big, covered load bay for commercial use. 

Although purists will be annoyed there is no manual gearbox in the Land Rover Defender any more, there is a wide variety of engines, from smooth and efficient diesels to the powerful P400 petrol and the desirable plug-in hybrid P400e. Not forgetting the incredibly fast V8 variant, although the six-cylinder diesels suit the Defender best. 

Whichever version you go for you get a driving experience that's in a different league to the old car. It's comfortable and quiet, with smooth engines making it a great long-distance cruiser. It's no sports car, but it handles tidily for a big 4x4 too. 

What's more, the Land Rover Defender is one of the most accomplished off-roaders money can buy. The air suspension option along with big wheels and clever differentials combine with Land Rover's famed Terrain Response system to make it capable of climbing pretty much any mountain and fording every stream. 4x4s don't get much more capable than this. 

 
Overall the Land Rover Defender is a great SUV to buy used. It'll serve as a family car, a luxury car and a tough, rugged 4x4 all-in-one. 

A Land Rover Defender not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What’s the best used Land Rover Defender model to buy?

The Land Rover Defender 110 First Edition models will be the most desirable, but which model you choose will depend on how upmarket you’d like your Defender to be. Engine-wise, we’d go for one of the six-cylinder diesels. They provide a useful amount of extra grunt compared to the four-cylinder units, but will be more frugal than the petrol options. If you don't need such a big car, consider the short-wheelbase version, badged the Land Rover Defender 90.

Used Land Rover Defender fuel economy and performance

The old Land Rover Defender was mainly sold with diesel engines, but the latest model has a variety of petrol and diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid option. All are four-wheel drive 

Diesel:

• Land Rover Defender D250: The entry-level diesel engine is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo unit with a mild hybrid system. With 249PS and 570Nm it's capable of 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and up to 32.1mpg combined in 90 form. 
• Land Rover Defender D300: The more powerful diesel option is also a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system. It puts out 300PS and 650Nm, enough for a 0-60mph time of 6.3 seconds and up to 32mpg combined in 90 form. 

Petrol/Hybrid:

• Land Rover Defender P400:  The entry-level petrol option is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo unit mated to a mild-hybrid system. Putting out 400PS and 550Nm, it'll do 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and can manage up to 24.5mpg in 90 form.
• Land Rover Defender V8: The fastest version uses a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 putting out 525PS and 625Nm.  Enough for a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds, it'll do up to 19.5mpg combined in 90 form.
• Land Rover Defender P400e: The plug-in hybrid version uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to an electric motor. With a total output of 404PS and 640Nm, it'll do 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds and promises up to 85.6mpg combined, with an electric range of up to 27 miles. It's only available on the five-door 110 model. 

Earlier Defender D200 and Defender D250 models were available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines, before the D200 was dropped and the D250 became a six-cylinder. 

What used Land Rover Defender trim levels are available?

The latest Land Rover Defender is available in three-door 90 and five-door 110 form. There's also a commercial van version, called the Defender Hardtop, which removes the rear seats and windows in both bodystyles.

• The standard Land Rover Defender is comprehensively equipped, and is available only in D250 diesel and (in the 110) D300 diesel form.
• The Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic is slightly cheaper, with differing equipment and styling. As well as the D250 and D300 diesel engines, it can be had in P400e plug-in hybrid form. 
• The mid-level Land Rover Defender XS Edition features extra styling and equipment enhancements. It's available in D250 diesel, P400 petrol and P400e hybrid form. 
• The high-level Land Rover Defender X is the flagship of the standard range, available in D300 diesel, P400 petrol and P400e plug-in hybrid form. 
• The Land Rover Defender V8 gets the brand's supercharged V8 engine and bespoke interior and exterior details. It's also available in high-spec Defender V8 Carpathian Edition. 

You will also find older Land Rover Defenders in S, SE and HSE trim levels.

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

After the first year, the Land Rover Defender will currently cost £180 a year in tax, plus the £390/year premium car tax for the following five years. The mild-hybrid P400 will get a £10 reduction.

How much is it to insure a Land Rover Defender? 

The Land Rover Defender starts at insurance group 27 for a three-door 90 in D200 form, rising to group 48 for the V8 model. The five-door 110 starts at group 33, rising to group 47 for the top-spec P400.

Read our full Land Rover Defender review