At a Glance
The Suzuki Jimny has 36 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk3 (1998-2018) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 506K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Suzuki Jimny common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Suzuki Jimny generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Suzuki Jimny owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Suzuki Jimny owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Suzuki Jimny?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Suzuki Jimny Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Suzuki Jimny MOT Failures
Every reason Suzuki Jimny vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 11.73% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 8.79% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 7.39% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.59% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 4.24% |
| 6 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 3.74% |
| 7 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.60% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.56% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.53% |
| 10 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 3.34% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.00% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.90% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.86% |
| 14 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.73% |
| 15 | Body corrosion or damage | 2.55% |
| 16 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.51% |
| 17 | Tyre condition | 2.30% |
| 18 | Front suspension fault | 2.24% |
| 19 | Stop lamp not working | 2.13% |
| 20 | Chassis condition | 1.31% |
| 21 | Wheel bearing worn | 1.25% |
| 22 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.24% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.14% |
| 24 | Track rod end worn | 1.11% |
| 25 | Headlamp fault | 0.98% |
| 26 | Horn not working | 0.94% |
| 27 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.85% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.75% |
| 29 | Indicator fault | 0.75% |
| 30 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.73% |
| 31 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.70% |
| 32 | ABS fault | 0.68% |
| 33 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.65% |
| 34 | Rear lamp not working | 0.64% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.33% |
| 36 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.33% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.32% |
| 38 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.32% |
| 39 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.30% |
| 40 | Drag link end worn | 0.27% |
| 41 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.26% |
| 42 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.23% |
| 43 | Airbag warning light on | 0.23% |
| 44 | Fog lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 45 | Rear suspension fault | 0.21% |
| 46 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 47 | Transmission oil leak | 0.20% |
| 48 | Brake fluid leak | 0.19% |
| 49 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.19% |
| 50 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.18% |
| 51 | Driveshaft fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.13% |
| 53 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 54 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 55 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.11% |
| 56 | Parking brake condition | 0.10% |
| 57 | Propshaft fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Brake pedal fault | 0.10% |
| 59 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 60 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.09% |
| 62 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 63 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.08% |
| 64 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 65 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.07% |
| 66 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 67 | Exhaust leak | 0.07% |
| 68 | Towbar fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 70 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.06% |
| 72 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 73 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 78 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 79 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 81 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 83 | Steering box fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Passenger seat fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.03% |
| 87 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 90 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 93 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.03% |
| 97 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 101 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 103 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 105 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 106 | Brake valve fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 108 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 110 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 111 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 112 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 113 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Wheel hub fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 116 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 117 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 118 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 119 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 121 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering rack fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 142 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 144 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 158 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 166 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 172 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 174 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 177 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Handlebars damaged | <0.01% |
| 190 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
Showing all 191 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Suzuki Jimny MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Suzuki Jimny, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Suzuki Jimny problems?
Based on analysis of 506K Suzuki Jimny MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 36 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Suzuki Jimny generation has the most problems?
The Suzuki Jimny Mk3 (1998-2018) (1998–2018) has the highest number of identified common problems (49). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Suzuki Jimny?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Suzuki Jimny owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
