2013 Land Rover Defender 110 XS Utility

This Land Rover Defender is from that last production phase and hence equipped with the 2.2-litre Euro V power unit. Its provenance to date is hard to argue with, too. Current owner, Patrick, is a farmer and bought the Defender from new for use as a business vehicle for his agricultural endeavours. The Defender was bought from Land Rover dealer Harwoods of Basingstoke and was specified with a number of desirable options and accessories. The options amounted to over £500 worth and included the tow ball, drop plate and associated electrics. The accessories amounted to over £2000 and included privacy glass, chequer plate protection, Land Rover seat covers and a xenon bulb upgrade.

Patrick has been the Defender’s sole keeper to date and just 26,627 miles have been covered due to the farm-centric nature of the Land Rover’s use. Despite this very modest mileage, the Defender has benefitted from a dealer performed service each and every year between 2013 and July 2024 at 25,459 miles – around 1,100 miles ago. Provenances don’t come much more solid and straightforward than this!

As the Land Rover was a business purchase for Patrick and has been solely used as a farm vehicle since, this Defender retains its original VAT eligibility. As such VAT will be added to the final sale price at the prevailing rate of 20%. A VAT invoice can be raised enabling any VAT registered entity to treat that element as an input tax, thus making it eligible to be reclaimed if the qualifying HMRC conditions are met. If a private individual or non VAT registered entity becomes the new owner, VAT will still be applied but it will no be possible to reclaim that element.

This Defender presents in Corris Grey with those optional areas of chequer plate protection noted to the wing tops and along the sills. The Utility specification manifest itself in the fitted steel wheels and the solid van type sides behind the second row of doors. Utility shouldn’t be confused with spartan, however. The fitment of chequer plate topped tubular side-steps, rear privacy glass and vinyl spare wheel cover lend this Defender a great combination of sophistication and understated charm. Land Rover Defenders are renowned for looking at home anywhere and that seems especially true with this example.

Being a farm vehicle for 12 years, inevitably enough, equates to a few minor battle scars. These manifest themselves in three main ways. Surface corrosion in places – bumpers, mirror brackets and wing mirror brackets. Dents - such as to both front wings (one of which was down to a lost argument with a Euro bale, appropriately enough). Scuffs and paint chips. It’s not at all bad, however, given the rigours of a farming life.

A set of standard, 12-hole, 16-inch Land Rover steel wheels are noted, finished in their original Limestone white. These are a little scabby and rust stained but could easily and inexpensively be repainted improving the overall look of this Defender exponentially. These are fitted with a matching set of Goodyear Wrangler off-road tyres in a 235/85 configuration which look to retain a significant depth of grip providing, chunky tread.

The interior of this Land Rover will look immediately familiar to many with its basic architecture dating all the way back to the 2007 major facelift. This upgrade represented a huge improvement over what went before with trim panels and gauges being drafted in from both the Discovery and the Ford Transit.

Patrick seems to have diligently kept those original nylon seat covers in place both front and back. That has clearly benefitted the underlying, original chairs which are centred with self-patterned fabric with complementary vinyl bolsters. Floor coverings are courtesy of the hardest wearing, Defender inscribed heavy duty rubber mats.

Once again, however, Utility doesn’t mean that basic human needs are ignored. This Defender features both air conditioning and multi-stage heated front seats. A Bluetooth enabled Alpine head unit is also fitted helping to make this cabin a thoroughly comfortable place to spend time.

In the cargo compartment of this long wheelbase Land Rover is a factory fitted, mesh cargo barrier finished in black. This also doubles nicely as a dog guard if you need one and can also be easily removed if required. A shaped, Land Rover branded heavy duty rubber mat is fitted to protect the underlying floor. The overall condition is, again, pretty good with the odd inevitable scratch and minor vinyl tear noted.

By this stage in its long life the Defender was using the 2.2L Ford DuraTorq engine. This is a four cylinder, four valve per cylinder turbo diesel unit widely used across the Ford empire. This unit is rated at 122bhp but, more importantly, delivers 360NM of torque from a mere 2,000 rpm making it ideally suited to challenging off road and towing duties.

The six-speed manual gearbox lends the Land Rover a surprisingly good real world road performance. Of course, it’s no rocket ship but a top speed of around 90mph and a 0-60mph time of under 15 seconds is more than sufficient for such an accomplished off roader. A low range transfer box is present as is a front axle, two-pin differential, and permanent four-wheel drive. A class leading towing capability, 500mm wading depth and 45-degree maximum gradient should prove more than sufficient for most purposes, even truly extreme ones.

In terms of under bonnet condition, it appears clean and highly original. The expected data plates are present and correct and there is some surface corrosion noted on a few surfaces but nothing of any consequence. The underside of the Defender appears to be free from any dings or deformations. There is a moderate degree of surface corrosion in evidence here, but it seems in keeping with the Land Rover’s age and usage profile. Treatment with a proprietary rust inhibitor would be both straightforward and beneficial.

The paperwork archive for this Land Rover includes everything you might expect from such a low mileage example. The V5 is present as is the current MoT in hard copy. The latter is valid until July 2025.

A full print out of the Defender’s online service history is included. This confirms that Patrick has had the Land Rover serviced every year, on the button, without fail. This has been regardless of mileage increments, which are always very modest, and at the hands of Land Rover dealers in each instance. Other highlights include the original book pack, keys and various service invoice copies.

The post 2012 Defenders are definitely the pick of the crop. The combination of the Euro V DuraTorq engines and six speed gearboxes have a transformation effect on the drivability and flexibility of the Defender in both off and on road use. As the Defender reached the end of its life the cabin became a much-improved place to spend time in, too, with all the key refinements on hand and materials, fit and finish much improved.

For those that were less than enamoured with the bulk and complexity of the new Defender then this has to be an enticing opportunity to acquire the esteemed original. This example is a cracker. It boasts a very modest mileage indeed but has, nonetheless, enjoyed annual trips to various Land Rover dealers for servicing. Its condition is very good, but not so good that it would dissuade you from tackling a challenging green lane, towing the seemingly un-towable, or transporting a muddy sheepdog or two in the back. And that’s exactly how it should be.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £22,000 - £30,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.