Used car guide

2016 Suzuki Jimny: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Suzuki Jimnys, from 1,052 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,052MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
4,300typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Suzuki Jimnys than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.1× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    7.8% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    9.5% All 2016 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 2.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Steering swivel joints8.2× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    4.1% All 2016 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Wheel bearings5.3× usual
    Suzuki Jimny
    3.2% All 2016 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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: 8.7% here, against 19.2% of all 2016 cars. Brake pads: 3.5% here, against 10.2% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    21% 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.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Suspension
    17% 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
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    5% 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.

Looking at a Suzuki Jimny?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020908Brakes 12%
20191,211Brakes 12%
2018501Tyres 15%
2017952Suspension 16%
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 2016 Suzuki Jimnys registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score