2012 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
5,444 MOT tests on the 2012 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 82.2% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (22.3% fail rate), the 2012 Jimny comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.5%) and suspension (8.2%) 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 service brake imbalance — service brake performance alone was recorded 402 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.8% versus 10.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 24.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.5% | 519 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.2% | 448 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 283 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 195 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 118 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.5% | 82 |
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 | 402 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 280 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 202 |
| 4 | Wipers | 182 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 165 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 124 |
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 | 24.4% | 1,326 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.4% | 945 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.8% | 697 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.3% | 559 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 324 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 216 |
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 | 908 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,372 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,553 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 493 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 97 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,078 | 15.2% |
| 2022 | 1,102 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 1,093 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 1,085 | 18.6% |
| 2025 | 1,086 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Jimny
On a 2012 Jimny, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (9.5% 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 (8.2% 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 (5.2% 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 2012 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 5,444 2012 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Suzuki Jimny?
Brakes, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.2%).
Does the 2012 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,444 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.