1998 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Suzuki Jimny passed 70.5% of its 454 recorded MOT tests. Against small SUVs of a similar age (28.4% fail rate), the 1998 Jimny comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.4%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, prescribed areas and integral vehicle structure condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 68 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.3% versus 18.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.0% in 2021 to 27.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 61 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 53 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 53 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.8% | 49 |
| 5 | Suspension | 9.7% | 44 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.5% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 68 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 49 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 47 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 36 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 34 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.2% | 169 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.8% | 108 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 100 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.9% | 86 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.9% | 72 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 72 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 72 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 166 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 143 | 36.4% |
| 120-150k | 57 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 109 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 101 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 93 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 82 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 69 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Jimny
On a 1998 Jimny, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Emissions & environmental (11.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 454 1998 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.7%).
Does the 1998 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 30-60k band to 26.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 454 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.