The final era. For model year 2012 Land Rover fitted the 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq (ZSD-422) with unchanged power and torque but the first diesel particulate filter on a Defender, and brought the soft top back into the showrooms. Pedestrian-safety and airbag rules the chassis could not meet ended the line: the last vehicle, a soft-top 90, left Solihull at 9:22 on Friday 29 January 2016, number 2,016,933 of the 1948-onwards story.
The steel chassis and bulkhead rot from the inside out, often hidden by underseal or carpet.
Visible rust holes, Moisture under carpets, MOT failure
Worn valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and crankshaft seals cause persistent oil leaks. The rear main seal is particularly prone on later Puma models.
Oil puddles under vehicle, Burning oil smell, Low oil level warnings
Corroded bulkhead earthing points and deteriorating wiring harnesses cause intermittent electrical faults including flickering lights, false warnings, and central locking failures.
Flickering headlights, Random warning lights, Intermittent central locking, Inconsistent gauge readings