Went to try a Discovery - !!!

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Peanot

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So, went to see one last night, it had been valeted so being kept in a garage for selling. It looked nice from what we could see of it, and sat inside, very nice and clean. We then asked her to start it up and drive it outside so we could check it all over, and hear it running, take it for a drive etc. Well, the embarrassment on her face as it wouldn`t start.
There was no clicking, nothing. The battery was completely flat. She is a nurse who works not far from me and seemed genuine. She had all the paperwork and it has a FSH but she is to get an MOT on it when it is sold so as not to waste any MOT. Went to see another, a year younger, but extra 10k on the clock and with only 4 mths MOT and it was a little `worn` inside with a rip on the drivers seat. It also only had 5 seats, where the other has 7. I prefer 7.
So spoke to the owner of the first one, and she said that her hubby had not told her (working away in RAF) to just lock it and not put the alarm or immobiliser. But she hadnt and it was flat. Does this sound right?
Anyhow she told me that she will put a new battery on it, take it for its MOT and then bring it to me, as I am a good hour away, and then see if I like it. I have told her that if it sounds good, and the back is good, (as I couldn`t see it in the back of the garage), then I will have it as she has stated that it is in lovely condition, and that it is very reliable.
Has anyone else had this happen, are they usually reliable or do they go flat with not being started? She said that it has been in the garage for about 3 weeks after the valet.
She has knocked another £500 off the price for our trouble.
Thanks
 
I the immobiliser is making the battery flat then something is wrong with the electrics, I would ask her if you can get an auto elec to check it out before you hand over any money.
We have a disco td5 auto, when its running its great but we have had a few fairly expensive problems with it, oh and by the way, check to see if the roof bars leak, most often they do! Tis not so bad when the weather is good but atm I am arriving at shows as if I have been dunked!!!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks Elaine, hubby did say that the battery looked very old, and it could do with a new one, so perhaps it is just a crap battery. I really like the truck, roomy, light inside, clean, etc but its just that I have heard a few bad reports about them, or is it the older ones.
 
It depends on how long its been sitting. My little car is at my in-laws and apparently the battery is as flat as a pancake due to just not being used at all (no immobiliser or alarm on) for several months.
 
I had a discovery for several years for towing. If the car was dead after sitting in a garage for 3 weeks then there is one of two problems......either the battery is old & will not hold charge in that case it needs replacing...not too expensive really, just the price of the battery. OR...the alternator is knackered & that will be probably be more expensive to replace.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAND-ROVER-DISCOVE...1QQcmdZViewItem

Obviously plus fitting....

You could do with a mechanic putting a meter on the running engine & they will be able to tell you which needs replacing. (Most probably the battery) Good Luck
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Tricky one What age are we walking about? Batteries can go flat on any car, and her offer to reduce the price, get it MOT'd and bring it to you means one of two things; either it is a dud and she is desperate to unload it onto the first muppet who shows an interest, or she is a genuine person who has really looked after the car and is sorry you have had a wasted trip. From what you have said I would go with the second option and certainly have another look at it, but just bear in mind that it may have an electrical fault. Even if it has, it may still be worth considering with a new MoT and FSH.
 
my sister bought a range rover second hand from a WAG! It had so many extras on it it was always draining the battery. i have a disco but it runs everyday so no probs with the battery.
 
update:
Went over to see the Disco again, the one that didnt start. When we got there it was running, she said that friend had jumped it, and it had been running for about 10 mins!
Hubby had been playing football with a friend who offered to come and have a look at Disco- he is a fully trained diesel mechanic- so a handy friend.
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He leapt underneath, and had that look on his face
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, it had a big leak coming from the gearbox. Looking all round it, there was also a couple of biggish scratches and a couple of rust patches, something we couldnt see in the back of a dark garage. Also, one of the tyres was bold on the side. She didnt seem as friendly when friend told her that it wouldnt pass an MOT with the leak and a couple of other little things. She was also taking it to a relatives garage to have the MOT done, so we decided to leave it with the leak. There wasnt any water in the coolant system either, so I think we had a lucky escape there.
So we went to see another one, and friend checked it over, and he was smiling, saying that it was in lovley condition, and we bought it. Great, I am now the proud owner of a lovely clean, non-leaking Disco. I cant wait to tow with it. Thanks for all your replies and help.
 
Fantastic news! Discos are one of the more idiosyncratic cars on the road, so it is really worth getting as good a one as possible. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy ours! The TD5s have cornering enhancement which is a huge improvement over the older ones (I had one of the very first ones, it was like driving a large jelly!). I did wonder if the first seller didn't sound a little desperate... She'll end up putting that one through an auction if she's any sense. Happy towing!
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