1999 Suzuki Jimny: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Suzuki Jimny?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Suzuki Jimny 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.

Common 1999 Suzuki Jimny MOT failures and advisories

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.

Known faults on the 1999 Suzuki Jimny

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Five recalls with build dates

  1.3 petrol

  Recalls covered a loose gear selector bolt (built April 1998 to October 1999), the power steering pulley (2010), loose suspension rods (May 2012 to March 2014), the brake booster (January to July 2014) and the stability control unit (December 2014 to January 2015).

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: RAC: Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018) used car review

• Timing belt every 70,000 miles (early 1.3)

  Earlier 1.3 petrol

  Earlier 1.3 engines have a timing belt that needs changing every 70,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Check the service history for a belt change.

  Source: RAC: Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018) used car review

• 4WD not engaging

  All engines

  The vacuum lines to the front hubs can perish, so four-wheel drive doesn't engage properly.

  At the viewing: Select 4WD on the test drive and make sure the light comes on and it engages.

  Source: RAC: Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018) used car review

• Steering wobble above 50mph

  All engines

  Worn suspension, wheel bearings, CV joints or poor balancing cause a steering wobble at speed.

  At the viewing: Drive above 50mph and feel for shake through the wheel.

  Source: RAC: Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018) used car review

• Rust, coolant leaks and soft-top leaks

  All engines

  Off-roaded cars rust where mud is trapped, older cars leak coolant from hoses or the radiator, and early soft-tops leak.

  At the viewing: Look underneath for rust, check the coolant level and look for damp inside.

  Source: RAC: Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018) used car review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Suzuki Jimny

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. When was the timing belt last changed?
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 1999 Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 16.8× as often on the 1999 Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 1999 Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?