1998 Suzuki Vitara JX review from UK and Ireland

Fuel Pump went at 34000 miles £450 from a dealer.

Head gasket went, this was due to the wife not noticing that the radiator had blown on the motorway and phoned me when it stopped, telling me it smelled funny!

Gasket set £40, took a couple of days to change, one nut on the inlet manifold is so hidden that it too 2 hours to fabricate a spanner to get it out.

The rear fog lights fell out, mounting plates made of metal thinner than a bean tin, entire steel mounting for rear bumper is unpainted!!!

Other than the mentioned problems it's been a great car, more reliable than many I've had.

It's a bit of a biscuit tin on wheels, it's a spanish one and the finish is a bit thin, but I'll run it till it drops completely.

Watch for rust, especially the spanish built ones, maybe they are all built there I don;t know.

Parts can be a swine to identify, seem like they changed parts every week. I ended up having to take the dizzy cap into the motor factors as he had 8 different ones to choose from for that year of 1600 8v petrol engine.

Going up hills can require a downshift and heavy right foot.