2015 Land Rover Defender

First registered in July 2015, ‘SB15 CNJ’ is an Aintree Green Land Rover Defender 110 XS that’s still in the hands of its first owner; taken on a mystery trip to Scotland for his birthday, he woke up to find it outside the hotel with a ribbon around it, the lucky boy.

As you’d expect given the 17,500 miles on the odometer, it’s never been his daily driver only being wheeled out for negotiating farm tracks on shoot days plus the odd holiday in France and West Wales. Covid obviously put a halt to both, which means it’s only done a thousand miles a year or so since the world changed. 

Fresh from a modest refurbishment last year, every MoT has been a clear pass - mind you, with so few miles allied to an impressive service history it’s barely run in.

Dial in above-average curation and you’re left with a Defender that has decades of life left in it yet – always assuming, of course, that it doesn’t go to someone who’s going to pop it in their classic car collection for display on the show circuit.

This long-wheelbase example demonstrates in the clearest possible way that a Defender doesn’t need much in the way of embellishment; with straight panels, no dents, dinks, or scrapes, and a wonderful shine to the Aintree Green (colour code LRC866) paintwork, the 110’s bluff, honest lines are as appealing now as they’ve ever been.

Of course, there is decoration, albeit modest. A grey radiator grille and matching headlamp surrounds alleviate what might otherwise have been a flat expanse of black plastic, and a pair of metal grille covers peek out above the dealer numberplate – and that still bears the supplying dealer’s name; a small detail we appreciate whenever we see it, its presence suggests the lack of any kind of, er, ‘interesting’ history.

And those 16-inch alloy wheels add a welcome touch of bling. They’re in a great condition too being free of scuffs and scrapes – but then few kerbs are going to intimidate rims shod with rubber as mighty as these 235/85R16 Continental Cross Contact A/T M&S tyres. 

Despite being nine years old, they all still have plenty of rubber left on them, and while you might think their tread pattern is a bit too lily-livered for a Defender, you’ll find them more than adequate for a spot of mud-plugging while offering a more civilized ride on the road than some of the usual suspects.

As we never tire of saying you, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

Other features of note include a set of substantial mudflaps, the continuing presence of the rubber retaining strap for the fuel filler cap, and plenty of replacement and recent stainless-steel fasteners.

Plus, of course, the hefty black roof rack and access ladder. The seller had this added for carrying luggage as the rear carried his dogs when he took his family on holiday. Equally useful as a viewing platform for point-to-points and festivals, it is as practical as it is purposeful.

The bodywork has the usual and inevitable alloy corrosion around some of the rivets, plus the odd rusty fastener. The former could be ignored for a while yet and if the latter bothers you a small investment of both time and money would see it resolved. 

More pressing is the rust that is developing around the windscreen, which will need investigating to prevent it worsening. 

There are also minor marks on the nearside rear wing, wheelarch, rain gutter, and front wing, as well as both rear door apertures. But the emphasis here is on the word ‘minor’.

NB: the beam deflectors you see on the headlamps just peel off.

If Maurice Wilks  would still recognise the coachwork, the interior would have him scratching his head in wonder. Still hugely practical, the angled switch panel, imposing and upgraded centre dashboard console, and modern instruments turn what was traditionally an unwelcoming cabin into something you’ll be happy to spend many comfortable hours in.

An awful lot of the improved comfort is because of the factory-fitted high-backed tombstone seats. Trimmed in two-tone leather and heated – heated! - they’re way more comfortable than the flat slabs we put up with for decades.

The rears are trimmed in the same material, and all five occupants get to enjoy seats that are virtually unmarked and still plump and comfortable; in fact, the only sign they’re not a couple of years old is some creasing to the outer edge of the driver’s seat.

The centre dashboard console provides satellite navigation, a reversing camera, and a powerful sound system courtesy of a professionally installed double-din Alpine headunit. 

The installation, by Motormods of Tewkesbury,  necessitated a new cover plate but the original trim piece and the OE factory headunit will stay with the car, so it could be returned to factory specification with little effort.

The full-length headlining is in great shape with no damage or drooping. The utilitarian floor coverings are also good, at least in part because they’ve been protected by a full set of quality rubber mats. 

The door cards, sunvisors, and cubby box are all very good, and the latter provides two useful cupholders in addition to storage.

Speaking of storage, the luggage area is more secure than most thanks to metal rear panels that obscure and protect the contents better than the more common glass; thus equipped, it seats five while providing rubber-mat-protected space to transport huge quantities of luggage, logs, or dogs with ease. 

And if you do have a dog you’ll be pleased to see that a heavy duty, full-height dog guard is included in the hammer price - and if you don’t, it also makes a very effective luggage firewall to stop suitcases and the like cascading on your passengers.

It has also been fitted with a Scorpion S5 Plus Tracker and immobiliser, the installation of which was carried out by Autotec in September 2021 at a cost of £649.

The turbocharged diesel engine starts well, idles perfectly, and revs with a gruff note that instills confidence that it’s going to get the job done no matter what.

The engine and underbonnet area are the most patinated part of the vehicle but that’s only in comparison; they’re still decently clean and we can’t see many owners feeling the need to tidy up the odd spot of surface corrosion on some of the components and fasteners.

The recent undersealing and rear crossmember treatment by West Wales Defender has left the chassis looking terrific, something the new sidesteps and ultra-straight front bumper contribute to, leading your eye from the wonderfully preserved coachwork to the Land Rover’s heavy duty underpinnings, underpinnings that include a very good tow bar and single electrics.

The Defender’s MoT certificate, which is valid until July 2025, was issued, like every single MoT bar one, with no advisories.

Mind you, give the following service history, that’s not a surprise:

• 23.08.2016 and 3,397 miles – service by Stratstone 
• 14.09.2017 and 7,584 miles – service by Stratstone 
• 18.07.2018 and 9,718 miles – service by Land Rover Cheltenham
• 26.07.2019 and 11,495 miles – service by Kilcot Garage Ltd
• 16.11.2020 and 14,300 miles – service by BG Land Rovers
• 06.10.2021 and 15,675 miles – service by BG Land Rovers
• 08.03.2023 and unknown miles – service by West Wales Defender including Stage 3 undersealing and rear crossmember treatment and miscellaneous fettling including new sidesteps at a cost of £2,755 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two sets of keys in addition to the service paperwork we summarise above.

Everyone loves a Defender and examples like this, freshly fettled and boasting an above-average condition, a below-average mileage, and finished in a classic metallic green, are especially sought-after.

Which means it won’t be cheap. 

We estimate the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £35,000 and £40,000, which might be strong money but the difference between what a vehicle costs and the value it delivers has never been clearer; the market will always value the very best cars and we can’t see the price of good Defenders changing significantly anytime soon.

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 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’.