2018 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
2,733 MOT tests on the 2018 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 10.0%, so the 2018 Jimny sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 6.9% of all tests — 4.0 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 175 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.6% once past 60-90k — 3.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 8.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 3.6% 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 | 6.9% | 189 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.0% | 81 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 69 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 32 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.0% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 7 |
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 | 175 |
| 2 | Wipers | 90 |
| 3 | Swivel pins and bushes | 33 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Washers | 17 |
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 | 8.8% | 241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 222 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.8% | 104 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 99 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 64 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 14 |
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 | 1,892 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 704 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 116 | 21.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 520 | 3.6% |
| 2022 | 527 | 6.5% |
| 2023 | 544 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 564 | 12.9% |
| 2025 | 578 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Jimny
On a 2018 Jimny, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% 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 2018 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 2,733 2018 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Suzuki Jimny?
Suspension, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.0%).
Does the 2018 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 21.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,733 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.