2005 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
11,689 MOT tests on the 2005 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2005 Jimny sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (11.2%) and body, structure & corrosion (10.6%) 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 prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 996 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.3% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.2% | 1,310 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 1,243 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 1,232 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.8% | 1,140 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 1,128 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 650 |
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 | 996 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 968 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 935 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 853 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 607 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 587 |
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 | 31.2% | 3,647 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.5% | 3,098 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 2,370 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.5% | 2,051 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.6% | 1,594 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 1,295 |
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 | 261 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,328 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,743 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,161 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 993 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 195 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,748 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 2,579 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 2,314 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 2,142 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 1,906 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Jimny
On a 2005 Jimny, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (11.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.6% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (10.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2005 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 11,689 2005 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Suzuki Jimny?
Brakes, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.6%).
Does the 2005 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,689 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.