2017 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
5,333 MOT tests on the 2017 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 88.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (11.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 7.9% of tests against 3.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and swivel pins and bushes — coil spring alone was recorded 333 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 18.8% versus 8.6%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 10.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.9% | 422 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.4% | 180 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 137 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 111 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.2% | 62 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 37 |
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 | 333 |
| 2 | Wipers | 182 |
| 3 | Swivel pins and bushes | 78 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 65 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 59 |
| 6 | Washers | 53 |
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 | 10.3% | 551 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.0% | 533 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 310 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.3% | 232 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 140 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 44 |
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 | 3,329 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,690 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 278 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 32 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,041 | 7.3% |
| 2022 | 1,061 | 9.4% |
| 2023 | 1,067 | 12.3% |
| 2024 | 1,079 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 1,085 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.9% 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 (3.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% 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 2017 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 5,333 2017 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Suzuki Jimny?
Suspension, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.4%).
Does the 2017 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,333 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.