Advice request: buying a 12 seater

[PZE]

Hello LR4x4. I hope this is a good place to come with this question, but please do point me elsewhere if not... I wondered if anyone could give me advice on what to look for when buying a 12 seater 110. I'm hoping to get one just to use around west Cornwall as good way to get plenty of people to harder-to-reach beaches. It doesn't need to be especially comfortable and will probably never meet a motorway, so being reasonably functional for half-hour journeys is about all that's required.

The majority of the vehicles I've seen for sale as 12 seaters seem to be from about D-reg to R-reg (I guess that safety rules for the rear seats intervened some time in the late 90s). Are there any particularly good/bad models years, trim levels and so on to look at? I have a basic knowledge of what to look for as far as rot and rust is concerned but wouldn't be confident picking up all mechanical problems myself; is it possible to arrange professional inspections or is the only safe bet to buy from a restorer/dealer? Finally (any more questions will just display more of my ignorance I think), what would be a sensible budget to get hold of something that is reasonably sound and does the job - I'm happy spending sensible money on maintenance each year but would rather pay more upfront rather than immediately get hit with multiple major repair bills.

I hope makes some kind of sense as a question - any help anyone could give would be much appreciated.

[bushwhacker]

Hello.

I have a 1986 110 csw 2.5 na (no turbo) 12 seats. Mine being 86 it has no rear seat belts . Bought about 10/11 years ago and done what was asked of it at that time.

I now know a 200/300 tdi would have been better, cost a bit more but better engine wise.

12 seats is not what they are, middle front useless and the back 6 are only 3+3 bench type not much room for equipment if 6 adults stuffed in. I would put them a 9 seat with light equipment.

Go for a 300 it will have disc rear axle, but if you can't find one a 200 will do. Mine only had drums on the rear but I have changed to disc easier worked on. Would a commercial 110 do you if it's not going to be on the road?

Pricewise check all the mags/internet to see what 110s are going for.

Happy hunting

[Retroanaconda]

Worth checking insurance too, a lot of companies are simply refusing to insure the side-facing bench seats in older station wagons nowadays.

[western]

to legally drive a 12 seat 110 the driver must be 21 or older.

IIRC around the mid 1990's 12 seaters went to special order only, 9 & 10 seat models are more common.

do you really need the 12 seats ? when fully occupied there is no room for any luggage or other kit.

[PZE]

Thanks all for the responses.

to legally drive a 12 seat 110 the driver must be 21 or older.

IIRC around the mid 1990's 12 seaters went to special order only, 9 & 10 seat models are more common.

do you really need the 12 seats ? when fully occupied there is no room for any luggage or other kit.

How does the seating break down? 12 seater obviously 3 front, 3 middle and 2 bench seats of 3; 11 seater I guess that with just 2 up front. Does a 10-seater have 2 bench seats only seating 2, and a 9 seater the same but no centre front seat?

12 seats is pretty useful for chugging as many people down to the beach as possible but probably not a dealbreaker vs 10. I was thinking that a full length roof rack with a tarp and a few bungies would do the job for piling beach bags etc on top along with the odd kayak, so no real need for any internal luggage space in that config.

[western]

factory 12 seater as my 110CSW was bulit.

3 in front [individual seats]

3 in rear front facing seats [individual seats]

2 x 3 man side facing bench seats in rear load bay, mine was never factory fitted with seatbelts for these,

but later 12/11/10/9 seat models are.

11 seater has a cubby box in front centre, this seat is virtually unusable anyway.

10 seater had 2 man bench seat or 4 individual seats in loadbay all side facing [with or without seatbelts]

9 seater had cubby box in front centre, 3 in centre & either 2 x 2 man bench seats or 4 individual seats in loadbay.

newer vehicles only have 7 seats to comply with newer laws regarding seatbelts & front facing seats.

roof rack would be fine for lightweight bags, there is a max roof load limit to be aware of & with weight high up handling differences too.