2016 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 Suzuki Jimny passed 86.3% of its 6,004 recorded MOT tests. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 14.1%, so the 2016 Jimny sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 9.9% of all tests — 7.0 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and swivel pins and bushes — coil spring alone was recorded 462 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.8% in the 0-30k band and 23.1% in the 90-120k band, a 13.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.9% | 596 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.0% | 179 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.8% | 169 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 166 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.3% | 78 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 41 |
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 | 462 |
| 2 | Wipers | 185 |
| 3 | Swivel pins and bushes | 111 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 91 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 80 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 71 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.8% | 886 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 862 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 375 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 305 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 211 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 89 |
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 | 3,028 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,318 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 542 | 19.7% |
| 90-120k | 91 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,169 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 1,215 | 14.0% |
| 2023 | 1,220 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 1,175 | 13.3% |
| 2025 | 1,225 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Jimny
On a 2016 Jimny, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Visibility (3.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (2.8% 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.
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 2016 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 6,004 2016 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Suzuki Jimny?
Suspension, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.0%).
Does the 2016 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,004 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.