2013 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with 18,000 km for Rs 12L: Worth buying?

I am aware of the estimated costs after purchase but always wanted to own a true blue 4x4 SUV.

BHPian HJ13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi,

A 2013 registered Pajero Sport with only 18,000 km on odometer is available for around Rs 12L. Should I buy it?

Assuming I will have to replace all rubber parts as they become hard over the years and hence may not perform well, here is the estimated cost after purchase.

Estimated cost after purchase:

• Change all fluids - Rs 18k
• For safety, replace the tyres (despite the good tread depth) - Rs 60k
• Replace belts - Rs 5k
• Replace front suspension bushes - Rs 28k
• There is rust at some places in the underbody, however, in my opinion, an underbody coating after rust removal should take care of it - Rs 10k
• Engine / gearbox mountings - Rs 25k
• New Insurance - Rs 25k
• Breaks service - Rs 10k

Total cost: Rs 12L + Rs 1.81L = Rs 13.8 lakh

I don't know if I need to change the timing kit - Rs 25k

A local mechanic provided the cost estimates.

Positives I see:

• A very rare low mileage Pajero Sport. Tyre manufacturing dates, the gear shifting, engine sound, interior freshness, and non-used spare wheel all indicate it has a genuine odometer reading.
• The owner claims that he has serviced the vehicle regularly as per the schedule even though it is not running much. I am yet to verify the service bills. Mitsubishi is not running any ASS in my state and hence I can not verify the service history with them.
• Passion about owning a true blue SUV, although I don't need a 4x4 in my area.

Negatives I am aware of:

• Mechanic and parts availability
• NGT has already banned 10-year-old diesel in Delhi / NCR. What if NGT decides to apply this in my home state (Gujarat) too?

Questions I have:

1. As the vehicle has not run much, is it possible that it has rust in the fuel system (fuel tank, supply lines), cooling system (pipes, radiator, water pump, etc.,), inside the engine (cylinder walls), etc?
2. As this is a pre-2014 made Pajero Sport will I face the overheating issue described in this post? I am a sedate driver and drive around 2000 rpm and by reading the post, I know I need to watch the coolant level frequently.
3. Are the gaskets/packings between various engine components made of rubber? Will they need a replacement?
4. How is the ride quality of Pajero Sport? Does it offer a comfortable and low NVH ride?
5. Can I expect a fuss-free ownership experience/peace of mind ownership as this is a very low-run vehicle and I am ready to do the initial after-purchase maintenance and then a regular service as per the schedule?

Please share your experience and guide me. I want to keep the vehicle for the next 10 years. I am driven by heart instead of the mind, but I want to evaluate this opportunity.

Thanks in advance.

Here's what BHPian Traveler had to say on the matter:

Being a former Pajero SFX owner for 8 years, I would not recommend you to buy this unless you have oodles of spare time and resources to maintain this vehicle. Parts are very difficult to find and the genuine ones are very very expensive.

You will end up with a Pajero that is only a Pajero on the face of it and underneath it will all be local spares and parts.

Kindly stay away.

Here's what BHPian Dhillon had to say on the matter:

I would not recommend the purchase. I am not aware of the underlying technical issues that you may face but there are high chances of you waiting for parts in case of any issue.

Why do not you look at 1st gen Fortuner from Delhi/NCR market? Even if the odo readings are around 80,000 km, you do not worry about Toyota's reliability (not saying that Pajero is not but still). You should be able to get your hands on one for Rs 12-14 lakhs. You will have to do a new registration in Gujarat.

Here's what BHPian TheARUN had to say on the matter:

I watched plenty of used car dealer videos, the car is quoted somewhere between Rs 6-7L.

Check the resale value on Cars24 and OlxCars, hopefully, it is less than the quote you received.

The point I am trying to make is, money saved is money earned, the lesser you spend on the car, the more you will have to take care of future expenses. Use all means possible to reduce the price from the quote, there is nothing going for the car except the low mileage.

This can be a second car at maximum, or in other words, you should have a beater vehicle handy to fill in the gap when the Pajero is down. If your heart is set on it, go for it, it's a beautiful vehicle overall.

P.S: I own a 2000 Lancer that I keep driving around the block whenever possible, spares are still available if I can wait, and yes, you will have a lot of non-Mitsubishi parts. E.g. The indicator flasher quit and the FNG replaced it with a Hyundai part!

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