Two-minute guide to choosing a Freelander 1

If you fancy buying a cheap fun-mobile Freelander 1 (the pre-facelift model seen here is getting rare), then this checklist will help put you on the right track.

• A knock under the rear when setting off is usually caused by failed differential mounts, £50-100 fitted.

• If the engine overheats, don’t buy. If there’s coolant depletion without overheat, bargain the price down; the engine has probably survived, but only if it’s a diesel.

• Avoid any cars that smoke, suggesting engine wear or injector issues, though Td4 models may need only a crankcase breather valve and filter (same applies to the L322 Range Rover Td6 engine).

• If there’s no rear propshaft (which could invalidate insurance), you need to know why – maybe a seized viscous coupling. • On gravel, if a rear wheel skips when reversing on lock, it’s normal. If it’s heavy to steer and the handling is bad on-road, the viscous coupling may be seized and that will have strained the transmission.

• Tyres are critical on any vehicle, more so with 4WD and even more so with the Freelander 1. Same make and size should be fitted all-round. The least worn or newest tyres (thereby having largest diameter) must be fitted to the rear axle. Otherwise, steering and handling problems will be felt, as mentioned, excessively straining the transmission. • Check the rear window drops slightly as the tail door is released, and slides back up when it’s closed.

• While the taildoor is open, check under the floor hatch for water. If wet, new tailgate seals are needed.

• Check the taildoor latch handle is firmly attached to the door – they aren’t cheap if broken.

• The windscreen is notoriously good at misting up, and notoriously bad at demisting – it comes as standard.

• The headlining likes to get damp and

droop down. Difficult to fix.

• The 1.8 petrol models do not overheat, nor blow head gaskets – they’ve all been fixed by now.

• Freelanders are competent off-road, restricted only by their lesser ground clearance.

• Automatics are best for off-road (in the

absence of low range gears).

• Handling is excellent on- and off-road. • The 2.5-litre V6 is a blast –

an expensive-to-run blast.