1965 Land Rover 109 2.5L Diesel · BTK 361C

A sixty-one year old 109 inch Land Rover carrying a cluster of corrosion advisories on its front brake hoses, suspension component mountings, and rear anti-roll bar attachments represents a familiar mechanical narrative for this model: structural and chassis patina progressing gradually under the tester's eye. The most recent examination on 23 March 2026 was a pass, but five advisories were issued, four of which relate directly to ferrous component corrosion around the front brake hoses and both front and rear suspension prescribed areas, alongside a worn rear suspension arm bush. The trajectory over the four recorded tests shows a clear progression from a wholly clean pass in April 2022, through advisory presence in 2023, to a denser cluster of advisories in 2026, suggesting corrosion and bush wear are advancing rather than stabilising. The single failure, recorded on the same day as the 2023 pass, concerned a non-functioning nearside front position lamp, a trivial electrical defect that was evidently rectified at the adjacent re-test, and does not reflect any deeper systemic issue. Recorded mileage of 178,749 against sixty-one years of life equates to approximately 2,930 miles annually, which is markedly low even by Land Rover enthusiast standards and points to extended periods of either storage or only occasional recreational use. The MOT record itself shows a testing gap between April 2022 and April 2023, and a further gap before the 2025 test, indicating the vehicle has spent meaningful stretches off the public road, likely under cover in a garage or workshop. Mechanically, this usage pattern typically manifests as dry and stiff suspension bushes, seized or partially seized brake calipers, perished rubber gaiters and seals, and surface oxidation on unprotected ferrous components, all of which align with the advisories observed. The recurring slight play at the offside front track rod end, first flagged in 2023 and repeated in 2025, is consistent with a steering joint that has aged in situ rather than through high-mileage wear. For any prospective buyer, the priority areas to physically inspect are the front brake hoses, particularly the ferrules, where the examiner noted slight corrosion, and the brake pipework at the rear, which was previously recorded as corroded and coated in grease. On a test drive, expect the pedal to feel wooden or require greater effort if a caliper has seized from disuse, and listen for any scraping or grinding that would indicate pads binding against the disc face. The suspension warrants close attention too: bounce each corner manually and listen for clonks or creaks from the front anti-roll bar mountings and the rear arm bush, all of which have been flagged for corrosion and wear. Pay particular heed to any clonking over uneven surfaces or a sense of looseness in the steering, as the persistent slight play at the offside front track rod end should now be evaluated against current tolerance to determine whether replacement is imminent. Underneath, the vehicle should be examined on a ramp with attention to the prescribed areas around the front and rear anti-roll bar mountings, since chassis corrosion in these locations has been recurring on the advisories and can advance significantly between annual tests on a vehicle of this age. The noted but non-excessive oil leak should be traced to its source, commonly the rocker cover gasket, rear main seal, or gearbox output on older Land Rover engines, and the rate of weep should be monitored to ensure it has not worsened since the 2025 record. Steering play should be checked with the engine running and the wheels straight, feeling for any notchiness or excess free movement at the offside front joint. Given the low annual mileage and the advancing corrosion pattern, budgeting for replacement brake hoses, suspension bushes, and a track rod end within the next twelve to twenty-four months would be a prudent assumption for ownership planning.