Lets be fair.
I find, most folks saying that the Pajero is a better choice on grounds of the Pajero being a better vehicle. Ofcourse it is, who is contesting that? Even with an archaic engine, the thing costs twice as much as a poor scorp maxes out at. The transmission/drivetrain apart, a substantial portion of the difference in pricing is dictated by higher cost of spares.The way it rides is also well known (Does the Safari ride bad?).
However, buying a pre-owned one is a different story altogether. To get one at the price of a new scorpio, it wont be exactly "new", would have definitely be past its first 3-4 yrs or equivalent in KM's clocked. That's wherein the inferior Mahindra, starts making a little better sense. Leaving aside the default 2yrs warranty, you have the option of handing them the risk due to age/use for 2 more years. Personally, I find Mahindra a lot more proactive/logical/understanding on acknowledging warranty.
Do I mind the occassional bush replacement? Ofcourse not, they cost peanuts. In 30,000kms my own vehicle has put across, have only done the alignment twice and the tyres still retain uniform wear. Maybe my usage pattern might not be as adventurous as that of many people here.
Coming to the Paj!! Let aside 4yrs, already there is a part supply problem with the mother brand, in 2 yrs who knows, one would have to visit the museum for spares. Had checked with the outside spare shops for parts availability prior to shelving the plan to buy an used Pajero (given that its a well known local knowledge in Kolkata that Mitsu parts, especially that of the costlier ones, are hard to come by at the Mitsu workshops). Does it make sense, yes, if you can afford a few days (weeks) of downtime, if any (Pajero is regarded super reliable).
Then what is the workshop support? Compare with Mahindra, even if there are stories of incompetence at the workshops of this company, the workshops still exist, at most nook and corners of the country. Taking your car to them, or them taking it in, is far easier, almost like taking to a roadside Mech, with the comfort of not voiding the warranty.
Then its the Fortuner!! Buying an used one is almost same as buying a new scorp + another backup small car to takecare of the relative non reliability of a Mahindra product with respect to one from Toyota. One can always use the small car for other duties as well.
Speaking of Toyota reliability. Personal experience, one has left us stranded in the middle of a journey (however, they had designed it such that it breaks down beside a Dhaba serving fabulous alu-paratha) with a locked up rear brake, when we had a flight to catch (although it was a rental, it wasn't much used and the driver was a careful one). Another did show up signs of occasional AC malfunctioning. However, will not contest the general perception that Toyota products are mostly perceived to be issueless (although personal experience does not seem to be supporting it)
As a matter of fact found this one quite reliable, only emissions were a little non-compliant.
Thats the stuck Toyota in the background