2019 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,003 MOT tests, the 2019 Suzuki Jimny recorded a 95.6% pass rate. Against small SUVs of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), the 2019 Jimny comes out 4.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.5%) and visibility (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and coil spring — wipers alone was recorded 129 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 9.7% once past 60-90k — 3.3× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 8.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 126 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 118 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.3% | 65 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 45 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.7% | 33 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 129 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 100 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 62 |
| 4 | Headlamp cleaning device | 32 |
| 5 | Washers | 26 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 21 |
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 | 8.6% | 432 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.8% | 292 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.0% | 151 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.2% | 111 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 66 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.7% | 36 |
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 | 3,572 | 3.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,291 | 7.9% |
| 60-90k | 124 | 9.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71 | 1.4% |
| 2022 | 1,201 | 2.4% |
| 2023 | 1,236 | 3.4% |
| 2024 | 1,207 | 4.4% |
| 2025 | 1,288 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 2.5% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Visibility (2.4% 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.
- Suspension (1.3% 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.
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 2019 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
95.6% of the 5,003 2019 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2019 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.0% in the 0-30k band to 9.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,003 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.