2003 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,853 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Suzuki Jimny, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.7% in the 150k+ group versus 11.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 1,381 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 1,343 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.8% | 1,283 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.7% | 1,268 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 865 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.5% | 649 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 1,047 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 918 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 884 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 744 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 650 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 643 |
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 | 35.2% | 4,175 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.5% | 3,611 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.5% | 2,663 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.2% | 2,154 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.3% | 1,813 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 1,480 |
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 | 225 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,864 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 4,404 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,580 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,420 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 345 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,874 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 2,568 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 2,362 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 2,123 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 1,926 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Jimny
Before buying a 2003 Suzuki Jimny, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.3% 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 (10.8% 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 2003 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 11,853 2003 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.3%).
Does the 2003 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,853 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.