Used car guide

2008 Suzuki Jimny: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Suzuki Jimnys, from 1,142 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,142MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,400typical miles a year
6.8×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Suzuki Jimnys than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Chassis rust or damage6.8× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    23.1% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks5.4× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    7.5% All 2008 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Body structure rust or damage3× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    6.6% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Wheel bearings2.6× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    6.7% All 2008 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Tread depth: 7.3% here, against 22.5% of all 2008 cars. Coil springs: 3.6% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Suspension
    26% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    23% 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.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% 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
2020908Brakes 12%
20191,211Brakes 12%
2018501Tyres 15%
2017952Suspension 16%
20161,052Brakes 21%
2015986Brakes 20%
2014879Brakes 25%
2013932Brakes 25%
2012901Brakes 30%
2011750Brakes 34%
2010677Brakes 34%
2009841Brakes 36%
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 2008 Suzuki Jimnys registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score