I have had three Freelander 2's before but all main dealer buys with warranty. I am trying to avoid a DPF if I can because I don't do many miles and live and work in the countryside. I am not used to buying a car this old and have really struggled to find one that has been well looked after and doesn't need a fortune spending on it. As a consequence, I have found myself dithering over purchase cost and mileage. I do about 7000 miles a year.

Two on my shortlist are;

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Click image to enlarge

I really think that you are limiting yourself by discounting a DPF vehicle. There are Freelanders up to 5 years newer on Autotrader for around roughly the same money and mileage if you do a search. I have a Freelander with DPF and only do 10 miles a day on my commute and a bit more running about at the weekend and have never had an issue. The Freelander DPF system is pretty problem free I think you will find. Perhaps others with newer vehicles can add their input into running a DPF vehicle.

We have a DPF vehicle - 14 plate 35 K miles - no issues so far . BUT we DONT do many short trips in it (eg 5 miles to the shops and back) if we can help it. Most of its miles have been accumulated through longer distance driving (100+ miles).

Honest John would generally advise to do some long journeys so that the PDF gets hot through working the engine or via the regeneration process - the latter needs time to work and my understanding is that it cant be achieved with a 5 minute trip to the corner shop. Jules

I have a 2014 Freelander auto with DPF and low miles (22,000). I have never had any DPF problems but I have always made sure it gets a decent run at 50 mph or so for 10 miles plus each month. This seems to allow the DPF to regenerate OK.

I don't think any diesel car is suitable for just short journeys. 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto

I’m a low mileage user and on my 8th LR with a DPF, never had an issue.

As above short journeys ain’t good for any diesel, I take mines on a long run every couple of weeks, keeps everything in order. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Unless you are looking for a really cheap FL2, I think you it would be to your benefit to get as late a model as possible.

So far (touch wood) I have had no DPF or other major problems in either of my SD4 DPF FL2s that I have had over the last six years.

I believe that my latest post MY 2013 is quieter and smoother than my previous XS.

Stop worrying about the DPF, have a trip out now and again, it works perfectly. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

I agree with all the other owners' comments re DPF
I have a MY13 with 54000 miles on the clock now do mainly short journeys with the occasional motorway jaunt - absolutely no problems with DPF - why limit your choice I doubt you will find many ACTUAL problems being reported on here or eslewhere. No Longer the owner of a 2013MY Fuji White GS

"Fiat Lux" a philosophy not a car

Cheers guys-that is really useful info. The newer FL2 has a much nicer interior and looks a little more modern than the early ones. It is really odd that 12/13 plate DPF cars are about the same price as much older non-DPF ones. Maybe I am not the only one with concerns about DPF's-particularly with the change in the MOT emissions for diesels.

My DPF prejudice comes from a bad experience with a Vauxhall Signum I owned from nearly new. When I bought it I was doing 30,000 ish miles a year, mainly up and down the motorway. I changed jobs to near where I live. I am now based on a farm and my commute is about 7 miles along narrow country lanes. The DPF blocked within 2-3 months and couldn't be cleared. £1000 later I got rid of it. I had petrols then until I bought the first of the Freelanders which were all fine.

Short journeys in our 2012 Evoque so same mechanicals and DPF as later FL2’s. No problems in 2.5 years. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

My mum had no end of problems with the DPF in her Vauxhall Antara but none with her Fl2. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

No problems to report here after 6 months , I've been told by a Landrover tech that they don't have much bother with the Dpf on the Fl2 . I just fill mine with premium fuel and it's fine . Was the Signum a 1.9cdti/2,0cdti by any chance? I had a Fiat with the same engine and it was a complete nightmare dpf wise . Go for an Sd4 Fl2 they really are very impressive.

Mark 2009 FL2 TD4 SE (Sadly gone)
2007 FL2 TD4 GS (The wifes , gone after 8 great years)
2012 FL2 SD4 SPORT LE(Gone and missing it)
2015 DISCOVERY SPORT 2.2SD4 HSE (For now ?)
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 ecoboost ( Gone but what next )
2014 Ford Focus 2.0tdci Zetec S

There are 388 SD4s to choose from. Best Engine/Transmission spec.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?se...de=bs216ug FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

Thanks guys-I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I have just inquired about a 64 plate that is being sold privately. Fingers crossed.

The first batch of cars that were fitted with DPF’s did suffer with the pressure sensor fault which was easily fixed with a software update.

I’m n the same boat. Looking for a 13/14 plate ideally with full LR service history. The ones I’m finding are at £14k to £15K with about 50K on the clock. Does this seem reasonable? I’m l8miting this to ones with tow bars as I know it’s £800 for LR to fit one for me!