1981 Land Rover 109 3.5L Petrol · SPW 300W

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history indicates a persistent trend of fluid weeping and progressive age-related corrosion. The most recent test in August 2021 at 13,933 miles noted fluid leaks from both the front and rear differentials alongside underbody corrosion. While the vehicle passed this inspection, the recurring nature of oil leaks across multiple years suggests that the seals and gaskets are failing due to age and long periods of low-utilization rather than high-mileage stress. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 45-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 310 miles per year. There are significant gaps between tests, such as the 2,040-mile interval between December 2020 and August 2021. This low-frequency use often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components and drying of seals within the braking system. The lack of recorded data since 2021 suggests the vehicle may have sat stationary for several years, which increases the risk of seized components and internal mechanical corrosion. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension mounting areas and chassis, as 2019 records identified corroded nearside rear suspension mounts and general surface rust. The tester previously flagged play in the offside front wheel bearing in 2020 and wear in the steering linkage ball joint in 2019; these must be re-checked to ensure they have not deteriorated. Given the emissions failure in 2020, the fuel system and engine health require close scrutiny to ensure the engine is burning fuel efficiently after long periods of inactivity.