The last of the current model of Land Rover Defender are selling for thousands of pounds more used than they did new, according to latest data from valuation specialists CAP Automotive.

Demand for the Defender spiked when Land Rover announced 2015 would be the last year of production after nearly 70 years.

The Defender is being built until December in Solihull, West Midlands, but motorists can no longer snap them up brand new as they are completely sold out, according to dealers.

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Popular motor: The Land Rover Defender will cease production soon. Here is a modified version from specialists Twisted

Land Rover announced plans to launch a replacement model in the future, but it will look very different from the iconic shape and is not expected until 2018.

The Defender, a favourite of the Queen, is set to be built outside of Britain for the first time after Jaguar Land Rover signed a deal last month to make its iconic 4x4 in a new factory in Slovakia.

The company announced it is building a £1billion plant in the eastern European country which will produce 300,000 vehicles a year.

It is believed the new model will transform the 4x4 from rugged workhorses to a 'family' of trendy beach-buggy style leisure vehicles.

The firm decided to keep the Defender – a staple British car for nearly 70 years – after the clamour from fans for the vehicle made it have a rethink. It was canned because it wouldn't meet European laws on fuel emissions.

CAP Automotive have listed a few used examples it has seen in recent weeks selling for far more than new.

This includes a 2013 Defender 90 2.2D LXV hard top in Santorini Black (Metallic), with ebony black leather interior and 6,151 miles on sale this week for £39,654 – more than £10,000 above new list price.

Fit for a Queen: The Defender has been around for nearly 70 years and is known for how it deals with rugged terrain

It also spotted a 2015 Defender 110 2.2D XS station wagon in corris Grey (Metallic) with Ebony Black Part-Leather interior, with 780 miles, on sale this week for £35,991 - £2,000 above new list price.

The firm says motorists who have been running a new Defender for several months are looking at 'potential profits running into thousands', if they choose to sell, effectively turning motoring costs into a significant investment return.

Philip Nothard, CAP consumer expert, said: 'Few cars fetch more than their original cost new, when demand seriously outstrips supply.

'But the Defender is a hugely popular and iconic vehicle that inspires a special kind of fan. Examples of the Defender in its run out year will demand a premium as motorists try to grab their own piece of history

'It did a limited edition run and that was sold out within weeks. Used values, particularly on under two year old cars is very strong. Perhaps the biggest winners in all of this are those specialist dealers and modifiers who still have stock.'

Fans of the Defender can still source vehicles through specialist companies like Twisted, who take the standard Defender and rebuild them to modern standards. But Twisted's range starts at £40,000, compared to £23,100 for the standard Defender 90.

It recently announced a £7million order for 240 new Defenders. The order will secure the company's pipeline of product for the next two years.

Based in North Yorkshire, Twisted can spend over 300 hours on each model, tinkering with everything from simple bolts, to full engine rebuilds and luxury interiors.

Charles Fawcett, managing director of Twisted, said: 'Our new range has attracted a great deal of interest from around the world and our order book is filling up.