2010 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,207 MOT tests, the 2010 Suzuki Jimny recorded a 78.5% pass rate. That is 3.3 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.7%. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (10.4%) and suspension (9.9%) 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 rigid brake pipes — chassis condition alone was recorded 364 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.5% versus 13.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.4% | 436 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.9% | 415 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 272 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 259 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 176 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 114 |
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 | 364 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 263 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 216 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 200 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 170 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 164 |
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 | 28.0% | 1,176 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.3% | 726 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.7% | 662 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 526 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.9% | 460 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 173 |
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 | 419 | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,615 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,460 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 600 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 80 | 28.7% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 870 | 20.1% |
| 2022 | 843 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 848 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 834 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 812 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Jimny
On a 2010 Jimny, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (10.4% 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 (9.9% 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 (6.5% 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 2010 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 4,207 2010 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Suzuki Jimny?
Brakes, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by suspension (9.9%).
Does the 2010 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,207 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.