2001 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,121 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Suzuki Jimny, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.9% in the 150k+ group versus 21.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 827 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 768 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 641 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.4% | 634 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 473 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 310 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 565 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 552 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 550 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 428 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 424 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 420 |
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 | 37.1% | 2,273 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 1,853 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.3% | 1,489 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.0% | 1,100 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.3% | 999 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 985 |
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 | 151 | 21.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,098 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,144 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,947 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 617 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 128 | 35.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,533 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 1,407 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 1,176 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 1,061 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 944 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Jimny
Before buying a 2001 Suzuki Jimny, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests for this year.
- 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 (12.6% 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 2001 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 6,121 2001 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.6%).
Does the 2001 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 0-30k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,121 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.