Used car guide

1999 Suzuki Jimny: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Suzuki Jimnys, from 279 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 279 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

279MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
3,500typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Suzuki Jimnys than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    32.6% All 1999 cars
    15.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Corroded fuel pipes16.8× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    15.1% All 1999 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.6× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    15.1% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.8× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    12.5% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.5%, against 4.4% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    13.3% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.8% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 1999 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    34% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Rust and bodywork
    33% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Suzuki Jimny?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022435Brakes 5%
2021406Brakes 10%
2020908Brakes 12%
20191,211Brakes 12%
2018501Suspension 15%
2017952Tyres 16%
20161,052Tyres 21%
2015986Brakes 20%
2014879Brakes 25%
2013932Brakes 25%
2012901Brakes 30%
2011750Brakes 34%
2010677Brakes 34%
2009841Brakes 36%
20081,142Brakes 38%
20071,537Brakes 38%
20061,459Brakes 37%
20051,545Brakes 38%
20041,864Brakes 41%
20031,575Brakes 41%
20021,198Brakes 45%
2001764Brakes 45%
2000610Brakes 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Suzuki Jimnys registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score