Reliable old big 4x4 SUV

[Codlins]

I’m looking at getting an older big 4x4 SUV to tow a horse box with two horses, so towing capacity 3,000-3,500kg. Budget will be around £4,000, up to £5,000 for right vehicle. Looking at pre March 2006 to keep the tax bill down, and will only be doing 5,000 miles a year.

Short list, in no particular order

Mitsubishi Shogun
VW Touareg
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Mercedes M-Class
Toyota Landcruiser
Land Rover Discovery

My question is about reliability and cost of repairs (parts and time to fit). I do not want to a get a big surprise repair bill, so which of these vehicles should I focus on and which should I avoid?

[E36Dan]

You're going to buy an ML and you're going to love it.

HTH.

[psychoR1]

Jeep - very reliable, cheap to buy and cheap on parts....

[ZX10R NIN]

+1 to the Jeep Grand Cherokee a specialist will keep it running for sensible money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The X5 is also worth a look due to their popularity you can run one for sensible money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[edthedead]

Hyundai Santa Fe / Kia Sorento. We have one and it has been very reliable and is actually a nice drive.

ETA if you want reliable don't buy a disco.

[Codlins]

E36Dan said:

You're going to buy an ML and you're going to love it.

HTH.

Interesting. Have who had an ML for long, and has it had any issues?

[Walter Sobchak]

If you want reliable get a Landcruiser, they don’t swear by them in Aus/Africa for nothing.
Shotgun and Touareg are also good, watch for propshaft bearing failure on the VW and check for a rusty fuel filler neck if getting a Shogun.

[crispian22]

Codlins said:

E36Dan said:

You're going to buy an ML and you're going to love it.

HTH.

Interesting. Have who had an ML for long, and has it had any issues?

I ran a Ml280 for around 18 months, great car,very comfortable, had no issues at all.

If you go for the 280cdi,you won't have dfp's to worry about as they were a option back then.