Used car guide · 1998–2026

Suzuki Jimny common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Suzuki Jimny, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 72,083 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Suzuki Jimny

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Suzuki Jimny as a whole.

509registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

What usually goes wrong with a Suzuki Jimny?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Five recalls with build dates

    Cars registered 1998–2018 · 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)

    Cars registered 1998–2018 · 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

    Cars registered 1998–2018 · 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

    Cars registered 1998–2018 · 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

    Cars registered 1998–2018 · 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

Common Suzuki Jimny MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Corroded fuel pipes

    up to 36× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 damage

    up to 14.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 12.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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 damage

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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 bearings

    up to 6.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

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

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

Suzuki Jimny MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Suzuki Jimny did best (69% passed first time, 10 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2018 did worst (83%, 0 points above all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202295%89% +6441 (small sample)
202194%87% +7806
202091%87% +42,631
201992%85% +73,547
201883%83% +01,491
201781%80% +12,810
201680%77% +33,106
201576%74% +22,918
201478%70% +82,571
201376%67% +92,712
201273%64% +92,715
201171%62% +92,268
201068%60% +82,046
200969%59% +102,537
200867%57% +103,524
200761%57% +44,980
200659%56% +34,784
200561%57% +45,109
200460%57% +36,113
200361%57% +45,211
200261%58% +33,967
200160%60% +02,626
200060%61% -12,030
199959%63% -4943
199859%65% -6197 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 36× as often on the Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 14.6× as often on the Suzuki Jimny as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Jimny?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score