Hi! - looking for Jimny specialist N Lincs

Hi all. Just joined tonight as need a little help in locating a decent garage with jimny knowledge in north lincs area if poss.
Aunts car, 2007 Auto with low miles (43k from new) and has developed a noise (sounds like transmission/ bearing or similar which increases with speed ). Car has been serviced annually by a local garage but they are just general and are telling her they don't know what the noise is as yet and may need to start taking it to bits as it's not a wheel bearing as they first thought.
If poss I'd like someone with a bit more knowledge of them to investigate maybe!
Car has never been off-road in its pampered life!
I'm ringing them tomorrow to ask a few questions of them before they do anything, albeit I know nothing of jimny mechanical issues myself.
Any help or advice appreciated. I'm remote from her and the car and just trying to help her not get deep into unnecessary repair costs she can't afford.

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I am in North Yorkshire so can't advise on a garage. There are a few possibilities for a speed related whine but a Jimny especially when older will naturally make more noise than a similar hatchback. Has the noise just started or just been noticed by a different driver?

Hello Chris

a BIGJimny welcome to you - I'm sure you will get to the bottom of this soon.

It might be worth checking both axles and G'box oil levels are all correct - if it was mine I'd drain, flush, and refill them with correct spec oils and see if that changes anything.
My VVT makes a slight whining noise and I'm sure its the alternator or belt tensioner - only does it when hot.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've just spoken to them and feel more assured. They had examined to my aunt but she's a bit old and deaf lol.
Noise is a rear diff bearing or internal fault in rear diff. They've had it on ramps in air in 4wd and listened at the diff. Quoted 500 quid by their gearbox guy to rebuild it with new bearings etc assuming nothing broken internally. 250 Labour to remove diff and refit which for Labour part isn't that excessive I guess.
Car has 43k on it but not sure if diff oil ever changed to be fair.
I'm confident they aren't trying anything on, he's driven it and I also heard the noise, it's bearing related and deffo not a wheel hub bearing or prop he's checked.
He says all the bearings available as far as he's checked but we'll need to hope nothing broken inside the diff itself, might need a good 2nd hand diff or bits if so.
Thoughts appreciated?

The diffs are inspection only for the life of the car but if it's managed to loose some oil that could cause a bearing fault but they are usually very reliable. 500 quid at a garage is probably about right.

Try Mr. Clutch if you have one near you . They did some work on mine (clutch cx) but were very, VERY competitive and they seem to get very good reviews