Suzuki Jimny: what fails at MOT
26,000 MOT tests on the Suzuki Jimny in 2024, counted. 27.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.4% of Suzuki Jimny tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32%, so the Jimny does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (6.8% of tests), brakes (6.7% of tests) and lights and electrics (5.4% of tests). It fails on body and structure more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 462 | 6.9% | 10.9% | 14,800 9,200 to 22,300 |
| 2020 | 1,318 | 8.0% | 11.5% | 20,600 12,500 to 27,600 |
| 2019 | 1,874 | 7.2% | 13.4% | 24,700 15,000 to 37,200 |
| 2018 | 642 | 20.6% | 15.6% | 25,400 17,700 to 36,400 |
| 2017 | 1,320 | 17.7% | 18.2% | 27,900 17,500 to 39,900 |
| 2016 | 1,368 | 18.7% | 21.3% | 33,300 21,500 to 49,900 |
| 2015 | 1,319 | 24.4% | 24.4% | 39,500 26,200 to 57,000 |
| 2014 | 1,119 | 20.7% | 27.7% | 41,800 27,900 to 60,400 |
| 2013 | 1,287 | 24.6% | 30.6% | 51,200 35,200 to 71,600 |
| 2012 | 1,125 | 23.8% | 33.4% | 53,500 37,300 to 75,600 |
| 2011 | 775 | 30.1% | 36.1% | 56,200 39,300 to 77,200 |
| 2010 | 841 | 30.4% | 38.6% | 65,100 48,300 to 84,300 |
| 2009 | 1,104 | 27.9% | 39.8% | 66,300 47,900 to 88,400 |
| 2008 | 1,594 | 33.0% | 41.5% | 74,400 55,100 to 93,500 |
| 2007 | 2,298 | 34.8% | 41.5% | 78,800 58,900 to 98,500 |
| 2006 | 2,233 | 39.1% | 42.4% | 80,600 65,400 to 98,600 |
| 2005 | 2,350 | 38.2% | 42.2% | 83,400 63,800 to 102,000 |
| 2004 | 2,701 | 42.1% | 42.3% | 84,700 65,100 to 104,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Suzuki Jimny tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Jimny | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6.8% | 7.7% | |
| Brakes | 6.7% | 5.9% | |
| Lights and electrics | 5.4% | 9.6% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 5.0% | 3.4% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.6% | 2.9% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 3.6% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.6% | 1.0% | |
| Tyres | 1.2% | 4.4% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Footbrake2.7%
- Chassis condition2.6%
- Coil spring2.2%
- Side light2.2%
- Wipers2.1%
- Footbrake balance2.1%
- Exhaust emissions2.0%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Brake pipes1.6%
- Corrosion near mountings1.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting2.3%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.2%
- Side light: not working2.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
- Footbrake balance: across an axle2.0%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.4%
- Corrosion near mountings: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced1.3%
- Footbrake: efficiency below requirements1.2%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material9.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.0%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge4.3%
- Fuel Pipe/s corroded2.9%
- Coil spring: corroded2.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.4%
- Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security2.2%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Suzuki Jimny's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.