2000 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Suzuki Jimny passed 73.0% of its 4,670 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.1 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.5%) and body, structure & corrosion (10.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, integral vehicle structure condition and chassis condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 580 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.2% versus 15.7%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 628 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 510 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 492 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.2% | 476 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.3% | 435 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 243 |
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 | 580 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 456 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 393 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 384 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 286 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 254 |
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 | 36.6% | 1,708 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.6% | 1,337 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.0% | 1,075 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.7% | 918 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 914 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 754 |
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 | 89 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 660 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,807 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,543 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 467 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 88 | 35.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,170 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 1,029 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 921 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 819 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 731 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.9% 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+.
- Suspension (10.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2000 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 4,670 2000 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.9%).
Does the 2000 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 35.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,670 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.