Massive probs 6 months in

Thanks for replying, sorry I'm not sure, repeating info from garage phone call so I will chat your points through with them on Monday...

It's all been said above, but I will sprinkle a little more clarity as the Jimny is new to you and I just want to help you with the Monday phone call.

Offside Front caliper sticking - yes it can happen, but it's usually a cheap easy fix when you replace the brake pads. The fact the pads on the other side are worn suggests this is just lack of maintenance in general on the braking system.

Offside front wheel bearing + Front swivel joint leaking - The usual culprit for a leaking swivel joint is the kingpin bearings. This can be mistaken for the wheel bearing which are usually reliable. The parts for the swivel are £45ish per side plus about 2 hours labour. Again an easy enough job and something every Jimny owner will face as rust/ pitting on the swivel ball surface can accelerates failure of the lower king pin bearing.
It could be that the wheel bearing has also failed but it's hard to tell over the internet.

Now the differential / 4x4 system / vacuum system are the bigger problems and quite difficult to determine what's going on from the current description.

Corroded Vacuum pipes - yes they all do that but, unless it's very bad the system should be working. Parts for the pipes are circa £170 and a few hrs to fit.

Disconnected rear axle prop shaft - Now this is the difficult bit, how is it disconnected?
The Jimny is normally driven by the rear axle, so it can only be removed or some how the transfer box / differential disconnected, both a serious problems if this is the case. It then suggests that to get the vehicle moving the 4x4 system has been tricked into driving the front wheels only, suggesting you have a Vacuum system that is working or the front hubs have also been messed with to keep them engaged.
It's hard to tell what is happening or if it was done to hide problems with the rear axle.

So yes some issues are possibly due to the age of the vehicle, but should not have occurred on a well maintained or serviced vehicle.

The issues with the axle and 4x4 system are just wrong, it appears a problem has been masked based on your current description of the faults.

Hope this helps and you get it sorted.

Mike

I'm surprised you would consider going back to the seller after six months?! Maybe within a reasonable amount of time? Say a month, to spot any existing issues at the tim of sale / just after, but not six months on? These problems must have manifested themselves recently? Otherwise you wouldn't have been driving it around for the last six months?

I agree with what has been said above (mostly by Scimike), most of these points are wear and tear issues that are going to occur on a fifteen year old Jimny.

Let's see what the garage find tomorrow, and we'll all try and help from there on in...

If the vacuum pipes have corroded a cheaper fix would be to fit manual switchable free wheel hubs? Simply unbolt the vacuum hubs and bolt the new hubs on, and then you just twist the knob on the end to engage four wheel drive if needed... with the winter coming up.

Wheel bearings or kingpin bearings are prone to going on a Jimny of this age. there's guides in the Wiki linked at the top of the page, and the parts needed are readily available from the BigJimny store (other retailers are available).

I would hope the rear prop issue is a mis-communication?! You wouldn't have been driving a front wheel drive Jimny around for six months?

Thanks, I bought it from a garage hundreds of miles away and phoned them when I got home to question issues straight away, however they put it all down to quirks of Jimnys and the death wobble. If I'd bought privately I would have taken it to a garage to be checked but having bought from trade I didn't. I mainly take it really steady, drive short distances at low speed but a long trip this week scared the crap out my passenger! I know 6 months is borderline for rights but I've hardly put any miles on it and two garages say the problems are not new. I don't mind some of the smaller maintenance / age issues but if it's deemed "dangerous and unsafe to drive" that's worrying.

In my opinion some garages will say it's dangerous and unsafe to drive, just to scare you into parting with some cash

As these issues are clearly a worry to you and Internet based diagnosis can be speculative why not see if there is a forum member in your area who could have a quick look and hopefully put your mind at rest.
Chris