Massive MOT failure - is it worth saving

I've had my 57 plate Jimny for almost a year now. I bought it privately and it had 11 months MOT with 1 advisory (minor leak of gas from rear exhaust). I've not had much done to it since buying, just the swivel seals and kingpin bearings at the front if I remember correctly. I've put it in for MOT this morning, and it's failed in a big way...

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

• Offside Front Outer Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Offside Front Inner Brake disc significantly and obviously worn surface (1.1.14 (a) (i))
• Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))
• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))
• Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))
• Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle n/s weak (1.2.1 (b) (i))
• Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))
• Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))
• Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))
• Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases rear of cat section / silencer area (6.1.2 (a))
• Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength anti roll bar mounting area (5.3.6 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Brake hose excessively chafed rubbing on coil spring (1.1.12 (b) (ii))
• Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength mid chassis outer area (5.3.6 (a) (i))
• Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

I had asked them to do the front discs and pads, so was expecting that, and there are a couple of other general maintenance jobs on there. I'm afraid that I've been knowingly sold a stinker though. Maybe I should have noticed, but the ABS warning light had been taped over!

My question is, is it worth saving? The body work is pretty tidy; not dents and only some very minor rust spots. The interior is very clean. I still owe £2,300 on the loan I took out to buy it. I love it and need a vehicle but I don't know if I should cut my losses. My local garage won't know the full extent of some of the jobs until they do some more investigating but they have said definitely over £1000 and quite possibly nearer £2000.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Sad Jimny owner

That doesnt look too bad to me.

Probably the most important is to get the codes read from the ABS system as a new pump is quite expensive but if its a sensor then its an easy fix
 
Most of the other are simple to correct (headlight aim, washer jets, wiper blades etc.)

Then rebuild the front and rear brakes should clear most of the others. Couple of plates on the rust and a new exhaust and your back again for much less than the outstanding finance. A good small garage mechanic could sort that all for you (depending on the abs pump of course)

I know of a couple of garages in Berkshire that would sort it for you.  I would get the ABS codes read as a first step

Martin

 

The have been quite hard on you with the screen washers, they probably just need a needle to clean them out and the headlamp alignment could have done there and then.

I know it's a long list but quite a few are easy fixes and as Martin says the other more complex stuff might not be too expensive.

Thank you both. You've made me feel a bit better about it. I'm really annoyed that some of the issues were clearly passed on the last MOT, when they should've been failed, but that's a life lesson I suppose.

I'm think I'm going to persevere. Will get them to look at the unknowns first, in particular the ABS, and go from there. I really didn't want to write it off and buy something boring.

We can do all the work it needs but we are in N/WALES

lt's surprising how many faults can appear in 12 months. lt was probably okay last year although if it's now got corrosion bad enough to fail an MOT l would have expected it to be an advisory last year.