Used car guide

2012 Suzuki Jimny: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Suzuki Jimnys, from 901 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

901MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,500typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Suzuki Jimnys than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    13.4% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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 damage10.3× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    10.9% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 1.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Corroded fuel pipes26.5× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    5.3% All 2012 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side4.7× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    4.7% All 2012 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Tread depth: 8% here, against 22.3% of all 2012 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.8% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    30% 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
    22% 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.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% 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
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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%
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 2012 Suzuki Jimnys registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score