2013 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,269 MOT tests, the 2013 Suzuki Jimny recorded an 84.9% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 20.7% of the time, so this is 5.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.4%) and brakes (7.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 261 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.6% once past 120-150k — 2.1× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.4% | 390 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.3% | 383 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 219 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 189 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.4% | 75 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 71 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 261 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 240 |
| 3 | Wipers | 167 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 153 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 118 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 108 |
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 | 19.4% | 1,023 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.4% | 867 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 548 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.0% | 423 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 209 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 193 |
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 | 1,221 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,434 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,184 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 345 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 22.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,038 | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 1,026 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 1,048 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 1,063 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 1,094 | 17.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.4% 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.
- Brakes (7.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.2% 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 2013 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
84.9% of the 5,269 2013 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Suzuki Jimny?
Suspension, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by brakes (7.3%).
Does the 2013 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 22.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,269 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.