2002 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
9,053 MOT tests on the 2002 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 73.3% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (28.2% fail rate), the 2002 Jimny comes out 1.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.7%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are integral vehicle structure condition, chassis condition and prescribed areas — integral vehicle structure condition alone was recorded 790 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
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 | 12.7% | 1,146 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 1,068 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.4% | 1,029 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.4% | 939 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 637 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 482 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 790 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 735 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 728 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 583 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 569 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 492 |
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% | 3,312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 2,741 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 2,024 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.8% | 1,701 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.6% | 1,326 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 1,257 |
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 | 171 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,310 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,272 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,849 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,176 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 246 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,218 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 2,005 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 1,763 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 1,628 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 1,439 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.8% 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+.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2002 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 9,053 2002 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.8%).
Does the 2002 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,053 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.