The Land Rover Defender is one of those iconic cars that almost everyone recognises. The first generation version was – visually at least – hardly changed in over half a century of production, though in its latter years, quite a lot was done to update it. Here, we look at the very last first generation models produced between 2012 and the end of production in 2016, these equipped with a Euro 5-compatible 2.2-litre 122hp diesel engine.

Despite the Defender’s 2012 model year refurb, it remained as solid and uncompromising as it had always been, with off road ability to worry a Challenger tank. Approach it as an alternative to modern family 4x4s and you’ve missed the point. Buy a Discovery for that. Here instead, is the hardest wearing, most capable and most cost effective proper off-roader that sensible money can buy.

Equipped with its Euro 5-compatible 2.2-litre diesel engine, this is the go-to choice if you’re looking for a used 4×4 from the 2012-2016 period ready for really hard off road work that will keep going when other SUVs have ground to a sorry halt. Arguably, it’s still the toughest thing out there.