1986 Suzuki Samurai SJ410 WV Estate review from UK and Ireland

Ive just had a recon engine fitted as it would cost too much to repair. Valve stem oil seals, piston rings and a rebore were just some of the problems that needed to be addressed. The last four months it's been running on three cylinders as oil has been wetting the plugs so bad one of them wouldn't spark at all, but it has never failed to start and always got me the 25 miles to and from work without a fuss, but it drank more oil than an army of bubbles.

Last week the alternator packed up and the clutch was replaced, With the engine, the clutch cable needs replacing as does the engine mounting rubbers and one rear bump stop. There's also a whinning from the transfer case or gear box but at this sort of mileage things will be showing their age a bit.

As with all Jap cars spares are a rip off, the recon engine was £520 fitted, a Ford would be £300, as with the alternator, £80 fitted as oppossed to about £40 for a recon Ford, the only good point was the clutch £76 fitted as the engine was out but the trusty old Ford would still leave you with a few bob in your sky.

But the SJ's hold their money a lot better and are reliable beyond belief even when treated like a Korean dog.