How often do you rip people off? I have been sold a lemon... I recently purchased a 1972 series 3 Landrover from http://www.johnbrown4x4.com I paid strong money £7500 plus deliver because I believed I was buying a good LR from a professional garage. Looked great on there website and the blurb sounded good. I did not go to view it ( lack of time) silly me.
This was the description,
For sale, Land Rover® Series 3 in Light Pastel Green (1972)
MOT until April 2015 and tax exempt. Diesel 2286cc.
This vehicle has been in the same ownership for 10 years, and was well loved. It has a comprehensive history file, with old MOTs going back 20 years, which suggest that the 33,000 miles is genuine... in 1995 the mileage was 14,000, and the history shows light use year on year... and this makes sense because the diesel engine sounds incredibly fit, and starts with consumate ease. In fact, this lovely Series 3 was driven up from Buckinghamshire!
In addition to being tax exempt and having low miles on the clock, there are lots more goodies besides - it has parabolic springs and procomp shocks, free wheeling hubs, overdrive, and a superb (working) Capstan winch... this is a real plus, as they are known to be incredibly robust and strong, as they run directly off the engine. They are also sought after and therefore valuable!
Finished in Light Pastel Green, the bodywork, as can be seen in the photos, is good. The interior is fitted with rear twin bench seats, and the side windows make it ideal for all the family.
This is a pretty, vintage Land Rover®, benefitting from tax exemption, low mileage, and coupled with that winch, plus extras as listed, makes it quite desirable.
When the LR arrived I could see it was not originally green it was blue as blue paint could still be scene in places;-(
I looked over the MOT's and noticed 4 years of MOT"S the milage had not changed this raised suspicions. I tracked down the previous previous owner to ask about the lack of milage and MOT's he confirmed the millage was about 20k out as the speedo had not worked for a number of years. My issue is I am not a trader and have worked out the milage was not correct. Johnbrown4x4 stated "with old MOTs going back 20 years, which suggest that the 33,000 miles is genuine" Clearly this is not the case.
I decided to take the LR to a local LR no-nonsense garage and get them to look it over for me. Please watch this video. http://youtu.be/33lqoV8bAaA
I think the video is rather damming given that johnbrown4x4 state that Finally, our in house inspection is far more thorough than an MOT, and we often undertake repairs to vehicles which have been deemed satisfactory by VOSA. As an example, just this week a vehicle came into the unit, having covered 4 miles since the last MOT. Our inspection diagnosed two loose wheel bearings, a loose swivel housing, and more worryingly, a badly worn ball joint, which seriously affected the safety of the steering. Because we are experts, we know where to look for problems, and also have the ability to solve them. In buying from us, you have the added peace of mind that not only has the vehicle had a VOSA inspection, it's had a John Brown 4x4 inspection”
What a lot of rubbish.
The LR was originally advertised for £7950 big money I offered them £7250 which they accepted but sent me this email "Trade sale (£800 discount on asking price) with no warranty implied or given"
I am not a trader and understand that there was no warrantee however I do not think that the LR is fit for purpose given what the specialist has told me.
I have asked JohnBrown4X4 for a refund and this is the response to my complaint Thank you for your call.
The vehicle was sold with a current MOT until April 2015.
The winch works perfectly. The mileage was only suggested to be genuine as we did not have a complete history on it.
It's impossible to gauge the time left on a clutch without removing the gearbox. There is not a Landrover in the land that doesn't leak oil from somewhere. There's bound to be improvements that can be made to an unrestored vehicle that's over 40 years old.
The valuation of your garage is ridiculous. We are consulted nationally on setting valuations in National magazines.
The vehicle was supplied under your direction as a trade sale at a trade price with no warranty implied or given.
Thanks
What steps next. I will be getting an AA/ RAC report then submitting this with an application to the small claims court. I shall make sure I post this in as many places as possible so to warn others.
Oddly under there sold section the LR I have been sold has been removed.

asked by xxxx x. on 12/18/14