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Suzuki Jimny reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 216,534 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
68.2%pass first time
+2.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 61%of cars
216,534MOT tests

Verdict

The Suzuki Jimny passes its MOT first time on 68.2% of tests, 2.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.0%). That puts it ahead of 61% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

Better than average on lights & electrics, tyres, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.6×as often as a typical car
Emissions & leaks1.4×as often as a typical car
Integral vehicle structure condition6.2×as often as a typical car
Chassis condition7.2×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192092%86%82%78%73%66%62%61%60%
Suzuki JimnyTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1999
Beats 44%
2000
Beats 56%
2001
Beats 60%
2002
Beats 63%
2003
Beats 62%
2004
Beats 63%
2005
Beats 60%
2006
Beats 54%
2007
Beats 61%
2008
Beats 76%
2009
Beats 81%
2010
Beats 65%
2011
Beats 62%
2012
Beats 62%
2013
Beats 67%
2014
Beats 43%
2015
Beats 28%
2016
Beats 26%
2017
Beats 17%
2018
Beats 26%
2019
Beats 92%
2020
Beats 79%
2021
Beats 97%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1999–2018205,05066.9%Beats 60%B
1.5 Petrol2018–202111,48491.5%Beats 88%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 6.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 9.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 2.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 9.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.1 ptsTyres: 2.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.8 ptsBrakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.8 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.7 ptsExhaust: 6.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.0 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 2.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 9.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 6.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 9.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.1 ptsTyres: 2.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.8 ptsBrakes: 10.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.8 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.7 ptsExhaust: 6.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 6.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
10.9% vs 11.6%
Brakes
10.8% vs 9.0%
Lights & electrics
9.8% vs 14.9%
Body & structure
8.4% vs 5.3%
Emissions & leaks
6.4% vs 4.5%
Visibility
5.6% vs 6.1%
Seat belts & airbags
3.5% vs 1.7%
Tyres
2.1% vs 5.9%
Steering
1.3% vs 2.4%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 1.9× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Brake performance 1.5× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%84%74%65%59%57%56%54%
Suzuki JimnyTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights3.5%3.4%1.0×
Brake pipes3.4%1.7%2.0×
Windscreen wipers3.4%3.0%1.1×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.3%1.7%1.9×
Headlight aim2.8%4.2%0.7×
Prescribed areas2.8%0.5%5.1×
Integral vehicle structure condition2.8%0.4%6.2×
Chassis condition2.7%0.4%7.2×
Coil springs2.5%2.6%1.0×
Exhaust system2.4%1.8%1.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point36.1
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen33.2
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded31.3
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning29.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements28.4
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired27.5
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.25.6
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened25.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 Suzuki Jimny1 engine93.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol1,13193.7%Beats 97%A
2020 Suzuki Jimny1 engine91.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol3,51491.1%Beats 79%B
2019 Suzuki Jimny1 engine91.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol5,83991.6%Beats 92%A
2018 Suzuki Jimny2 engines85.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,88483.2%Beats 10%E
1.5 Petrol1,00089.6%Beats 75%B
2017 Suzuki Jimny1 engine83.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol6,50483.7%Beats 17%E
2016 Suzuki Jimny1 engine82.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol8,21182.5%Beats 26%D
2015 Suzuki Jimny1 engine80.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol8,70180.6%Beats 28%D
2014 Suzuki Jimny1 engine79.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol7,73579.4%Beats 43%C
2013 Suzuki Jimny1 engine79.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol7,97479.4%Beats 67%B
2012 Suzuki Jimny1 engine75.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol8,05175.7%Beats 62%B
2011 Suzuki Jimny1 engine73.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol6,67273.6%Beats 62%B
2010 Suzuki Jimny1 engine71.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol6,07871.3%Beats 65%B
2009 Suzuki Jimny1 engine72.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol7,61172.6%Beats 81%A
2008 Suzuki Jimny1 engine69.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol10,99169.3%Beats 76%B
2007 Suzuki Jimny1 engine63.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol15,97463.8%Beats 61%B
2006 Suzuki Jimny1 engine60.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol15,74060.2%Beats 54%C
2005 Suzuki Jimny1 engine60.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol17,36860.4%Beats 60%C
2004 Suzuki Jimny1 engine60.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol20,83160.9%Beats 63%B
2003 Suzuki Jimny1 engine59.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol18,49959.5%Beats 62%B
2002 Suzuki Jimny1 engine59.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol14,59559.8%Beats 63%B
2001 Suzuki Jimny1 engine59.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol10,16859.8%Beats 60%B
2000 Suzuki Jimny1 engine59.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol7,80759.3%Beats 56%C
1999 Suzuki Jimny1 engine58.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol3,65658.2%Beats 44%C

FAQ

What is the Suzuki Jimny MOT pass rate?

68.2% of MOT tests on the Suzuki Jimny were passed first time, based on 216,534 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.0% of the time.

Is the Suzuki Jimny reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 61% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Suzuki Jimny?

The most common failure items are sidelights, brake pipes, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, integral vehicle structure condition comes up 6.2× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.