2009 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
5,184 MOT tests on the 2009 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 79.4% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (25.8% fail rate), the 2009 Jimny comes out 5.2pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.4%) and suspension (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, service brake performance and service brake imbalance — chassis condition alone was recorded 259 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.8% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.4% | 490 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 436 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 333 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 278 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 220 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 180 |
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 | 259 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 224 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 210 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 205 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 195 |
| 6 | Wipers | 171 |
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 | 28.6% | 1,483 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.1% | 992 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.6% | 858 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 694 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.5% | 547 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 532 |
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 | 406 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,802 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,835 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 909 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 177 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,039 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 1,070 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 1,056 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 1,016 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 1,003 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Jimny
On a 2009 Jimny, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (9.4% 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.
- Suspension (8.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% 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 2009 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
79.4% of the 5,184 2009 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Suzuki Jimny?
Brakes, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 2009 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,184 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.