2012 Land Rover Defender 110

The term 'ultimate specification' barely does justice to this uniquely customised Land Rover Defender. It boasts a plethora of delectable upgrades, all recently carried out (around 2022-23) by a Land Rover specialist, Resto Rovers. Since then it’s only done about 500 miles, but the owner’s change of family circumstances – new child plus ‘sensible’ wife – forces its sale.

Beautifully finished in striking Aintree Green Pearlescent, it has covered around 78,500 miles from new, and has only one previous owner before the current keeper.

“When choosing the upgrades I had a lot of input from people in the Land Rover world, including Keith Gott,” he tells us. “Most of the modifications have been to make it better to drive. Everyone who’s driven it since has said it drives better than any Defender they’ve driven before.”

Please scroll through our high-res images to see how fresh and clean things are underneath. We’re not aware of any oil leaks, perishing materials or other issues needing attention.

This 110 has road presence to rival anything on the road. The unmissable stance – wider and higher than standard – is the result of 17-inch deep-dish modular steel wheels, spacers and huge 35-inch (315/70 R17) BFG KO2 all-terrain tyres shrouded by extended, colour-coded wheelarches. The result: enhanced stability at cruising speed, and flatter cornering.

Note also the raised air intake with a snow cowl, and custom-made tree sliders (designed to deflect rocks and branches when off-road, as well as providing an extra jacking point and something to step on) – all enhancing the Defender's off-road capabilities.

On full beam, this is one of the most visible vehicles on the road, thanks to a frankly terrifying (yet discretely installed) array of lighting extras. A 50-inch DLX 50c light bar is fitted above the windscreen, plus a Strolux 32-inch bar in front of the bonnet, with floodlights below the front bumper – in addition to upgraded headlamps and LED sidelamps and flashers.

A Terrafirma winch is mounted to the front bumper, accompanied by auxiliary kill switches – a smart tactic to prevent a thief from making the 110 winch itself onto a transporter. At the rear, a C-Tek trickle charger has been added, making it dead-easy to keep the battery conditioned during an extended layup.

Panel alignment is pretty much perfect, as you’d expect from a specialist build, and the tailgate has a neat party-trick, capable of either swinging to the side or folding downs. The paintwork is very tidy, but the owner has avoided making it too precious to use. “It’s not supposed to be 110% perfect,” he tells us. “It’s supposed to be used and enjoyed.”

Many custom touches set this Defender apart: a lovely hardwood rear deck, fitted with cargo rails, provides a sturdy foundation for carrying gear, while also serving as a platform for alfresco dining. Mood lighting is subtly integrated into the wooden floor, as well as into the front footwells.

Inside the fully-carpeted cabin we find re-upholstered quilted leather seats, complemented by new safety belts and leather dash trim, leather door handles and leather gaiters. There’s also an upgraded sound system, including speakers in the rear.

As you would expect with vehicle of this era, there are electric windows and USB/USB-C charging ports. As you might not expect, those front seats are heated, and the steering wheel is a lovely Moto-Lita item attached to a quick-release boss by Optimill – an essential piece of theft prevention. You’ll also find an isolator switch in the passenger footwell which ensures there can be no current drains from the auxiliary equipment when parked.

As the photos show, this is no farmyard flunky. There’s no structural corrosion to be found around the chassis, and no claggy mud or sand. It’s all ship shape.

The 2-inch suspension lift is courtesy of a kit from Old Man Emu kit – a premium brand, respected among Land Rover drivers. Installed using poly bushes all round, it provides extra ground clearance for off-roading, while heavy-duty steering bars and Panhard rod ensure precise handling on any terrain.

The 2.2-litre turbo diesel benefits from a mid-box silencer delete, unleashing extra horsepower with a throaty exhaust note. Nothing too abrasive though, as a genuine Land Rover silencer remains at the rear.

The transmission has been treated to a new clutch; the process involved resurfacing the flywheel, and replacement of the master and slave cylinders. A slick-shift has also been installed to tighten up the gear selection on the MT82 six-speeder. A nice touch.

Anti-roll bars are fitted at both the front and rear (not always the case with earlier Defenders) to give decent road manners. Heavy-duty rear drive flanges have been installed, along with rebuilt brakes and hubs to ensure reliability under pressure.

The vehicle comes with a V5C document and comprehensive service history. There are numerous receipts and 11 stamps in the service booklet, the last dated 2nd June 2024 at 78,579 miles.

The MoT record is impressively clean, and the last three tests were passed without a single advisory. The latest MoT certificate was issued on 1st May 2024 at 78,568 miles.

We love the versatility of this unique 110. All set and ready to go, it’s guaranteed to make every journey feel like an adventure. Considering the amount that has been spent on it, and its great condition (not to mention how well Defenders resist depreciation) our £30,000 to £40,000 estimate might be too conservative.

Its creator has struck a balance between creative and transformative upgrades without detracting from the rugged simplicity of the underlying design. This still feels and looks like a proper Defender – ready to head for the hills. After all, to experience the countryside from the back of a soft-top Defender with the sides rolled up is one of the iconic motoring experiences that every kid (and willing adult) deserves.

​Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.​