SumExtremely disappointing diplomatic sales and ownership experiencemary
Summary: I ordered a Land Rover through the diplomatic sales programme, but the vehicle was left waiting inside a container at Greek customs/port for more than five months. After major stress, extra costs and my own efforts to prevent the vehicle from being sold through customs enforcement, I finally received it in February 2026. Then, at only 3,900 km, the nearly new car failed with a serious electrical fault. No replacement vehicle has been provided so far. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this brand or this process.
I am serving in a NATO assignment abroad and purchased a Land Rover Discovery Sport PHEV through Land Rover Diplomatic / Capurro Diplomatic Sales.
I placed the order in May 2025 and was told that delivery would be around September 2025. I was advised that sending the car to Greece would make the process easier. Their website also gives the impression that customs clearance can be handled for diplomatic customers. However, the vehicle was left waiting inside a container at Greek customs/port for more than five months.
During this period, I repeatedly warned that something was wrong, but I did not feel that the matter was taken seriously enough. Eventually, I learned that the vehicle was at risk of entering a customs enforcement/sale process. I had to personally learn and follow customs procedures in a country where I do not speak the language or even read the alphabet, contact customs and port officials myself, and coordinate the process.
The port/storage charges reached approximately €28,000. Capurro paid this amount because they had previously accepted responsibility for port charges, and I appreciate that. However, this does not change the fact that the process was extremely stressful and damaging.
I finally received the car in February 2026. At only around 3,900 km, the car showed a red critical warning: “Stop safely. Electrical fault detected.” The authorised service diagnosed a DC converter fault. The part is not available locally and must be ordered from abroad. I am again without my vehicle, and no replacement vehicle has been provided so far.
There are also other quality issues: the front “V” badge fell off, the remote app works unreliably, and the keyless entry system is unstable. People have even jokingly asked me whether I bought the car from Temu, which says a lot about how disappointing the quality has felt.
Because of the long delivery delay, I had to buy another temporary car, as I had just started my assignment abroad and had no practical way to commute in Crete without a vehicle. After finally receiving my Land Rover, I sold that temporary car. Now, because my Land Rover may again be unavailable for a long time, I may have to buy another temporary vehicle.
Due to the delays, rental cars, buying and selling temporary cars, and now another long repair period, I have lost and continue to lose thousands of euros.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise people to stay away from this brand and this process.