Why did they stop making the old Defender? (2023)

When did old Defenders stop being made?

After a continuous run of 67 years production finally ended on 29 January 2016, after a total of just over two million Land Rover Series and Defender models had been built.

The V8-powered classic Defender has returned with an additional bodystyle and plenty of off-road gear. Land Rover is bringing back the classic Defender in Trophy II guise - a nod to Bob Ives's Camel Trophy-winning Defender of 1989.

THE Land Rover Defender is an automotive British icon. The old model is celebrated for its tough off-road prowess and ability to look just at home on the farm as it does in the city. So car fans around the world were gutted when Land Rover announced it was stopping production back in 2016.

The Defender's simple construction and old design means mechanical reliability niggles should be almost non-existent. Since they're such well loved vehicles, there are Land Rover specialists the length and breadth of the country on hand should problems arise.

Demand for the Land Rover remains as high as ever, as do prices. In fact, values are actually rising because even the newest Defenders have taken on classic status. Yet while these appreciating assets are better than money in the bank, the running costs are likely to be a drain on your account.

Land Rover Defender thefts increased by 34% in 2021 after a slight lull in 2020, with the iconic vehicles being targeted by rural criminals and organised gangs who dismantle them for parts. The insurer is recommending a mix of traditional and sophisticated electronic security measures.

You're looking at one super-rare Land Rover. One of the rarest factory-made Defenders ever, in fact. It's a 1993 Land Rover NAS Defender 110, one of just 534 manufactured exclusively for the American market.

So, why is the Defender so popular? For one main reason, it is extremely functional. And the emotional appeal has made the Defender withhold its iconic British presence around the world for the past 70 years.

The most reliable Land Rover is the Range Rover Velar, according to the What Car? Reliability Survey. The Velar achieved the highest percentage of any current Land Rover: 90.7%. The least reliable Land Rover is the Discovery 5, scoring only 70.7%.

The new Land Rover Defender V8 offers arguably the best engine in the lineup, bringing in the all-new P525. This 525 BHP petrol engine offers the Defender 90 and 110 a new level of performance entirely.

Why did the Camel Trophy stop?

Outdoor pursuits dominated the event. Shortly afterwards, Land Rover, a major sponsor, felt that the Camel Trophy was moving away from adventure and exploration and a news release indicated they would not sponsor future events. This ultimately led to the cancellation of the 1999 event which was planned for Peru.

Alpine's armored Land Rover Defender is built using latest technology to provide clients with highest levels of protection. Typically armored to Level A9/B6+, this bulletproof Land Rover is protected against 7.62mm lead core, 5.56x45 and M80 ball rounds, as well as 2 DM51 hand grenades.

“They're so simple and bulletproof you can leave them for weeks, then just jump in and drive. There's no technology to go wrong. Plus, because they're more than 30 years old, they're tax and MoT exempt and cheap to insure if you restrict your mileage.”

The steering is very heavy and isn't very responsive. There are lots of turns lock-to-lock, but the turning circle is huge, and cornering is best done slowly. It also bounces around over rough tarmac. That said, if you love driving then there's real satisfaction to be had driving a Defender.

Buying a Classic Land Rover for a Restoration Project. Classic Series Land Rovers are an excellent investment as they increase in value over time. They were designed with easy maintenance in mind, and spare parts are available on request.

Despite all of this, the new Defender has proven to be a fairly reliable vehicle and the JD Power surveys, taken from 100s of owners see the Defender score 70 out of 100 in the reliability stakes.

A common Land Rover Defender problem is rust due to frequent exposure to mud and moisture. This typically causes corrosion to develop on the steel chassis and bulkhead particularly.

Topping the list of most stolen cars in 2021 was the Range Rover Sport, with Land Rover models accounting for 44 per cent of all cars stolen with the Range Rover, Land Rover, Discovery, Evoque and new Defender all on the top 10 list. Mercedes was the second most stolen marque, accounting for 18 per cent of thefts.

Police have warned that older Defenders are particularly vulnerable to theft due to their basic security features and have urged owners to add physical deterrents to protect their vehicles.

The original Land Rover Defenders are rare to come by because they were not sold in the US after 1997. There are a few off-road-ready SUVs out there, but very few are as iconically designed and well-versed as the Land Rover Defender.

Is a Defender a Bronco?

The 2021 Ford Bronco is a 2- or 4-door off-road-focused, pickup-based SUV with retro styling flair and cutting-edge software. The 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 are 2- or 4-door off-road SUVs with a classic name but an entirely modern look and feel—and truly impressive off-road chops.

The Land Rover defender 110 is likely the best Defender model for those again with fairly busy families or that often travel in groups because of the sheer practicality and versatility of the car.

Value retained: 68.7%

The fact that Land Rover has struggled to meet demand as a result of the chip shortage has only helped to inflate the Defender's used prices. Consequently, a three-year-old example with average mileage is expected to retain a significant chunk of its value.

Three centre-backs give extra cover and protection when defending, especially in central areas. The presence of an extra central defender also makes it easier to force play away from the centre of the pitch. The extra centre-back also helps deal with opposition crosses more effectively.

It is not a factor in their game. The next best players can curtail it from time to time but in the end it always comes back and manifests itself in inconsistency and a lack of goals. The end result is that strikers will always cost more than defenders because they basically score goals.

A Land Rover will last, on average, about 200,000 miles or 13 years. But despite its legacy, Land Rover is amongst the least reliable makes on the road, ranking 33rd (last) in J.D. Power's 2020 vehicle dependability study. Even so, some Land Rover models prove to be more reliable than others.

The earliest models used BMW engines, however in 2005 the petrol engine was replaced by a 4.4-litre V8 derived from the 4.2-litre used by Jaguar.

How many miles do Defenders last?

All Michelin Defender tires have high treadwear mileage. Defender 2 – Has an estimated tread life of 94,400 miles. Defender T+H – Can last up to 90,000 miles.

The Defender has also been found to be prone to a leaky brake vacuum pump, and the Defender's clutch and gearbox are also known to give the odd bit of grief. Defenders are designed for use off the beaten track, but some owners have reported that the car generates an odd knocking noise when being driven off-road.

Camel Trophy's successor: the "G4 Challenge"

The "ultimate global adventure" was a test of skill, stamina, and mental agility in four separate stages, each in a different time zone.

In April 1858, Beale was ordered to survey a second route along the thirty-fifth parallel from Fort Smith, Arkansas to the Colorado River for use as a wagon road and stage line He was given the use of another twenty-five camels from Camp Verde for this expedition.

Camels are unpredictable, cagey creatures at the best of times, and they tend to not respond kindly to being whipped by little waifs strapped between their humps. Numerous child jockeys have died during races.

The giant Dartz Black Shark is a completely bulletproof and armoured car.

While not all Land Rover owner's manuals will state that you must use premium gasoline, all will encourage it. If you use standard, unleaded gasoline in your Land Rover, you can experience issues such as: Engine knocking.

The truth is that a Defender can be a lovely daily driver if you adjust your driving habits. You will drive slower, but enjoy the experience more. We've developed an exceptional sound deadening system that can make the cabin noise more tolerable, but it's still not a door-thunking-S-Class-Mercedes experience.

Although certain design cues and capabilities harken back to the brand's origins, the model that would become the Land Rover Defender was built in 1983, given its new name in 1990, and released for the U.S. market in 1993.

2016 – The first Land Rover Defender is retired. After a run of more than 30 years, this model would only take a four year hiatus. The Defender was re-released as an all-new model in 2020, and is now available around the world.

How much does an old Defender cost?

A: The lowest recorded sale price was $7,700 for a 1987 Land Rover 90 on January 07 2020. Q: What is the average sale price of a Defender? A: The average price of a Defender is $63,563. Have another FAQ about the Land Rover Defender?

The original Land Rover Defenders are rare to come by because they were not sold in the US after 1997. There are a few off-road-ready SUVs out there, but very few are as iconically designed and well-versed as the Land Rover Defender.

There are unfortunately no plans at this time to make a second season of The Defenders.

Netflix's The Defenders should have been TV's team-up answer to The Avengers, but the Marvel show ended up disappointing critically and commercially.

The rights to the shows are just reverting to Disney and there are no grand plans for the former Defenders.