2003 Suzuki Jimny: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Suzuki Jimny?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Suzuki Jimny than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Chassis rust or damage4.3× usual
  Suzuki Jimny

  17% All 2003 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes12.6× usual
  Suzuki Jimny

  10.1% All 2003 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 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.

• Wheel bearings2.4× usual
  Suzuki Jimny

  9.1% All 2003 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.3% of all 2003 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.

• Steering swivel joints5× usual
  Suzuki Jimny

  5.5% All 2003 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.1% of all 2003 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.

• Body structure rust or damage2.1× usual
  Suzuki Jimny

  7.5% All 2003 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2003 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.

Common 2003 Suzuki Jimny MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  41% 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
  35% 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
  33% 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
  31% 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
  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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% 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.

Known faults on the 2003 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 2003 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 chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2003 Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 12.6× as often on the 2003 Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2003 Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?