2020 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,803 MOT tests, the 2020 Suzuki Jimny recorded a 96.1% pass rate. That is 4.0 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 7.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.8%) and visibility (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 121 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.3% once past 60-90k — 3.7× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 9.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 4.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 107 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.9% | 81 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.9% | 24 |
| 4 | Tyres | 0.6% | 18 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 121 |
| 2 | Wipers | 86 |
| 3 | Washers | 14 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 14 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 11 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 10 |
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 | 9.3% | 261 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.5% | 125 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.4% | 124 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.1% | 58 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 32 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.6% | 16 |
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 | 2,209 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 523 | 5.0% |
| 60-90k | 65 | 12.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 38 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 916 | 2.8% |
| 2024 | 893 | 4.3% |
| 2025 | 945 | 4.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Jimny
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 3.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (3.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.9% 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 (0.9% 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 2020 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
96.1% of the 2,803 2020 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by visibility (2.9%).
Does the 2020 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 12.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,803 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.