1999 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,178 MOT tests, the 1999 Suzuki Jimny recorded a 71.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (28.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.9%) and body, structure & corrosion (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, chassis condition and integral vehicle structure condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 321 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 38.2% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 303 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.7% | 299 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 249 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.6% | 230 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.8% | 213 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 117 |
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 | 321 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 259 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 216 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 165 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 158 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 151 |
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 | 38.1% | 830 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.3% | 639 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.0% | 522 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 454 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.9% | 412 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 366 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 42 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 326 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 778 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 707 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 251 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 38.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 545 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 494 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 424 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 379 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 336 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.7% 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 (11.4% 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 1999 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 2,178 1999 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.7%).
Does the 1999 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 38.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,178 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.