MOT: In need of moral support

Hi everyone,

Need a bit of a broader perspective on my situation...what would you do?

Jimny just went for an MOT and failed spectacularly...

Not my usual MOT tester as I'm new to living down in Wales... so it had someone poke holes everywhere.

I'm considering my options at this point. We (girlfriend and I) bought the car as a project, it's nearly 21 years old. We have done a lot to it, and it has cost a fair amount...the car cost £950 originally and we have spent around £4000 on suspension, wheels, tires, brake disk conversions, brake pads, discs, engine gaskets, snorkel, roof rack, roof tent, engine belts, alternators, radiators, oil pumps, water pumps, new headlights, bumpers, winches, kingpins, boot floors, new seats & money on mechanics bills for some of these things.

I'm anticipating about £700 to get it sorted (asking the welder to sort it out, put box section on the sills etc...) - but is it worth it? Do we persevere to keep this old boy on the road?? Or should we just give up, buy a newer Jimny and swap the newer bits over?

I am at a bit of a crossroads here. I thought it would get through OKAY (i.e. minor things) on this MOT, but it's somehow got more refusals now than it has ever had, despite getting more attention than it has ever had in its whole 21 years.

The cheapest car is the one you own. So i would say stick with it.

A big yes to about £700 is good . and you will have a GOOD JIMNY in the end .

I agree with Lambert and gv42. Unless you can find the holy grail of Jimnys, cheap with no rust, better the devil you know.
If it's repaired properly and protected below you know it's going to last.
But yes it's a big list, you need a good drink as well as moral support.

The list is long at first glance , but by doing 1 job as you say with section then most will be done together .
The headlamp issue looks like 3 but is clearly a connection or earth for instance.
But more importantly if you get a newer Jimny it'll be a higher tax bracket won't it.
I seem to remember that the first Jimnys were taxed differently ...mine is an 03 plate it's £260 a year .
Truth is you could pay £3-4000 for a later one then next year need to plate it some where ..
£700 over a year = 50odd quid a month!

If you can get it done to a good standard do it
But just prepare yourselves
When the welder sandblasts/grinds or whatever he dose
Talk it through with him then fix/buy another

Personally i would fix IT
Only time i wouldn't is when the bill costs the same as a good jimny