2011 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Suzuki Jimny passed 80.3% of its 4,592 recorded MOT tests. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 23.6% of the time, so this is 3.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (10.5%) and suspension (9.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, coil spring and chassis condition — service brake performance alone was recorded 349 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.3% in the 0-30k band and 34.4% in the 150k+ band, a 23.0-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.5% | 483 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.1% | 417 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 229 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 186 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 176 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 119 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 349 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 243 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 204 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 159 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 154 |
| 6 | Wipers | 148 |
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 | 27.2% | 1,249 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.8% | 769 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.6% | 672 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.1% | 464 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 432 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 169 |
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 | 679 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,902 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,359 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 492 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 123 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 932 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 928 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 895 | 18.0% |
| 2024 | 942 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 895 | 20.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 10.5% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (10.5% 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 (9.1% 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 (5.0% 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 2011 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
80.3% of the 4,592 2011 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Suzuki Jimny?
Brakes, recorded in 10.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.1%).
Does the 2011 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,592 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.