The Mahindra Bolero or the desi G-Wagen needs no introduction. There are lakhs of them on the road across the country and the Bolero remains one of the most recognisable vehicle. It also remains the automaker's most successful utility vehicle bringing in strong volumes for over two decades now. Known for its rugged nature, reliability, low cost of ownership and more, the Mahindra Bolero remains popular in the hinterland as well as with fleet buyers. In the modern age of big screens and faux leather, the Bolero is all about the old school charm. So, if you are looking to bring home a pre-owned Mahindra Bolero, here are five things to help make an informed choice.
1. The Mahindra Bolero originally went on sale in 2000 and has largely stayed the same since. The design remains instantly recognisable with its no frills appearance, while the cabin remains basic but well equipped covering all the essentials. There's Bluetooth connectivity as well as reverse parking sensors.
The Bolero's bare bone cabin is equipped with all essential features, missing out on the fancy screens and soft-touch materials
2. One of the highlights of the Bolero is its engine. The model was powered by the tried and tested 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, diesel motor until 2020 when this engine was discontinued owing to the transition to BS6 emission norms. The newer models come with a more frugal 1.5-litre diesel unit. Power figures though are identical with the 195 Nm of peak torque available from both engine options. The MY2019 onwards Bolero also gets more safety kit as standard including driver side airbag, ABS and seatbelt reminder as part of the standard kit. These were missing on the older Bolero models.
3. Select customers have complained about the fuel injectors being damaged on the more recent examples of the Bolero. The same is said to be due to the bad fuel quality being used. Make sure to get the vehicle inspected for faulty injectors, which will be an expensive part to replace.
Spares for the Bolero are easily available, while Mahindra's widespread service network pan India makes it convenient to live with
4. The Mahindra Bolero is an easy to own vehicle when it comes to service and spares availability. Mahindra has a widespread network of touchpoints across the country, while the spare parts for the MUV are reasonably priced and more readily available in the hinterland of the country. It's noteworthy that the Bolero, along with the Scorpio, remains one of the most stolen vehicles in India.
5. Prices for a used Mahindra Bolero as old as 2013 start from about Rs. 4.5 lakh. Most Bolero models have done well over 1-1.2 lakh kilometres on the odometer. Finding a low mileage example is possible with more recent models as early as 2020 but a command an asking price of about Rs. 8 lakh in the used car market.
