CarHistory.cc
‹ Suzuki

Suzuki Jimny years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

12,461 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2002–2019 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Suzuki Jimny year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2005, 2008, 2016 and 2019. The other 5 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

64.9%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 64.1% to 65.8%.

In 2025, 64.9% of the 12,461 initial MOT tests on Suzuki Jimny cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 61.8%. That is 3.1 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Jimny

Its own MOT history, free.

Suzuki Jimny MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2019age 61,21029,00088.5%±2.0+5.0 ptsall: 83.5%
2016age 91,05338,10078.1%±2.6+3.2 ptsall: 74.9%
2008age 171,12574,80067.3%±2.8+10.1 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 181,51278,80058.9%±2.5+1.5 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 191,43783,00058.7%±2.6+1.7 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,53284,10060.4%±2.5+2.8 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,84486,50059.8%±2.3+2.0 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,55489,20060.5%±2.5+1.8 ptsall: 58.7%
2002age 231,19491,20061.6%±2.8+2.1 ptsall: 59.5%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Suzuki Jimny first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

88.1% of Suzuki Jimny tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 53.2% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 86.4% and 54.6%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0001,24888.1%±2.0+1.8 ptsall: 86.4%
30,000–59,9992,76873.4%±1.7+1.0 ptsall: 72.5%
60,000–89,9994,05461.1%±1.6+0.6 ptsall: 60.5%
90,000–119,9992,98158.1%±1.8+2.5 ptsall: 55.6%
120,000 or more1,39053.2%±2.7−1.4 ptsall: 54.6%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Jimny tests were about average under 90,000 miles, above average at 90,000 to 119,999 miles and about average at 120,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Suzuki Jimny tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 20 tests (0.2%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Jimny problems at the MOT

Share of the 4,371 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Jimny

Based on the areas where Suzuki Jimny MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Body, chassis, structure

    In 33.8% of failed Jimny tests

    • Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
    • Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot. They should latch properly.
    • Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.

  2. Brakes

    In 33.0% of failed Jimny tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  3. Lights and electrics

    In 33.0% of failed Jimny tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  4. Suspension

    In 31.9% of failed Jimny tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Jimny's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Suzuki Jimny cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Suzuki Jimny cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 4.2% failed on tyres, against 1.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,321 and 9,361 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory4.2%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted1.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.3% of those with a tyre advisory and 14.3% of the others.

Brakes

Of Suzuki Jimny cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 13.8% failed on brakes, against 7.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,187 and 8,438 cars.

  • With a brake advisory13.8%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted7.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.2% of those with a brake advisory and 13.5% of the others.

Suspension

Of Suzuki Jimny cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 15.7% failed on suspension, against 8.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,467 and 8,952 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory15.7%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted8.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 20.0% of those with a suspension advisory and 13.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Suzuki Jimny questions

Which Suzuki Jimny years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2005, 2008, 2016 and 2019. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Suzuki Jimny reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 64.9% of initial MOT tests on Suzuki Jimny cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 61.8%. That is 3.1 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Suzuki Jimny problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are body, chassis, structure (in 33.8% of failed tests), brakes (in 33.0% of failed tests) and lights and electrics (in 33.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 20-year-old Suzuki Jimny?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Suzuki Jimny cars first used in 2005, about 20 years old, had a median of 84,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Jimny's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Suzuki Jimny

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Suzuki models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 10 Suzuki modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Suzuki Jimny cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count