6 photos

1986' Land Rover Defender

£23,995

Published 6 March 2026ID: m28HaK

Yorkshire
+44Show phone

Information from the owner

Age: 40 years

Mileage: 110000 km

Displacement: 2495 cc

Fuel: Diesel

Transmission: Manual

Exterior color: Green

Electronics: Bluetooth

Seller's comments about 1986' Land Rover Defender

For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Land Rover 90 Ragtop in Drab Olive (1986).Diesel 2495cc. Will be supplied with 12 months MOT (the last one it’ll ever require!). 111, 000 miles. Six Seater – rear individual tip up seats. Bonnet Mounted Spare. Boost Alloys with BF Goodrich Tyres. Un-welded Chassis. Military Roll Bar with Seat Belts. Original Screw Lenses. Aluminium Door Tops. Stereo & Speakers with bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Central Touch Screen. Sand Canvas with Side Windows. Galvanised Front Bumper with End Caps. Ex-Military with late release from forces in 2011. 2 previous keepers since. Hands Free Calling. USB Charging. Will be Tax and MOT exempt on 01/ 01/ 2027.Here we have for sale the popular ex-military 90, having been subject to a very late release from forces in 2011. It is perhaps not surprising then, that the chassis on this vehicle has never been repaired – most unusual for a near 40 year old Land Rover, but made possible due to the long military service where these vehicles were often dry stored and not heavily used on salty roads in the winter. To preserve the un-welded chassis for future years, we have cleaned, prepared and undersealed the underside (including axles). This should keep the chassis in good order for many years to come. This particular vehicle also benefits from a non-computerised, non-OBD, proper mechanical set up – meaning that, despite the creature comforts you see – it can be maintained at home yourself, or by an old school, cheap local garage as opposed to a dealership. The 110, 000 miles showing on the odometer indicates the sheltered life this particular variant has led.Externally, as the photos show, there are lots of features one might hope to see – the galvanised front bumper with rubber end caps, the recent canvas with side windows, the boost alloys with brand new BF Goodrich Tyres, including a matching tyre on the bonnet, etc etc. There are still some tasteful nods to its original military history, such as the screw lenses for easy bulb changes without needing any tools, which is very welcome… we often wonder why this was changed for all cars… This truck also enjoys aluminium door tops (which prevents them from flapping and rusting as per the civilian mild steel type) and a roll hoop is fitted for additional safety.Internally, there are two front outer deluxe high back seats, both with 3 point belts, and deluxe matting to the footwells. A central cubby box is fitted for stowing items out of sight and to afford cupholders which are welcomed for any drive through. The cubby box also serves as the “bass port” for the stereo and speakers, with a kill switch to prevent slow drains when leaving in long term storage. Our Apple CarPlay and Android Auto central touch screen is also fitted, which brings the interior right up to date with modern standards – this can be used either in tandem with or individually to the stereo, which means you don’t have to use it at night if you wish to avoid glare. This touchscreen makes a massive difference to the experience – no longer do you have to compromise – Spotify and Google Maps can be used, and you can take calls, answer texts – many much later TD5s and even late 2010s TDCI Defenders don’t benefit from this system! There is a USB charging port for keeping your phone (or any device) topped up whilst driving. The rear houses four individual rear tip up seats, meaning seating for six people including the driver – these can be folded away to reveal the entire load space or any combination which you want – each one folds up, and has a clip to keep it retained. The added benefit of a recent canvas, with side windows, brings a light and airy feel to the cabin in general and makes travelling in the rear very pleasant, as well as aiding the driver by reducing the blindspot and increasing overall visibility.Out on the road, the dependable 2500cc diesel engine conveys this truck along just as it should. Whilst it is not going to break any land speed records, this unit was chosen and favoured by the military (being fitted until 2012 in this guise for several military contracts) for being dependable and reliable. It is a very basic unit which is easy to maintain and should give good service – we’ve seen these vehicles with verified mileages of over triple what is on the odometer here, which have only needed routine servicing. It is quite literally the same engine as the later turbo’d units, just without a turbo fitted for maximum long term longevity.Interestingly, within a short space of time (just 9 months!), this ‘modern’ coil sprung 90 Land Rover will become both tax and MOT exempt. This will make it even more desirable and promises to reduce running costs significantly year on year. This is especially attractive when one considers that this truck has disc brakes, coil springs, 5 speed all synchro gearbox, etc etc. It is effectively a modern car running with classic benefits… being able to own a vehicle which does not require an MOT makes life so much easier in terms of owning the car – we still, of course recommend that vehicles are maintained and serviced regularly, but this can be done on your own timetable and within your own parameters, rather than those of an over zealous garage looking to create large bills for works carried out. When one considers it also benefits from the tech one is used to in their most recent modern cars, it is easy to see what an attractive prospect this is – especially when there is no need to scan it to find out what has gone wrong – it can be looked after with an £11 Amazon Haynes Manual!In summary, if you are looking for a family Land Rover that will go anywhere at any time, then this could be for you. Whether that be with canvas off to the beach in the summer, or up a snow-clad mountain in the winter – this vehicle can do it…. and with all the benefits mentioned above, it is a bit of a no brainer – especially when one considers if you buy a more modern Defender, you’ll suffer with the horrendous £750 per year road tax, need an MOT every year and a garage which charges a premium for access to their £10, 000 OBD scanning equipment!Priced at £23, 995