2021 Suzuki Jimny — MOT failures & pass rate
844 MOT tests on the 2021 Suzuki Jimny are in this dataset, and 98.1% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 7.1% of the time, so this is 5.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.5%) and visibility (2.0%) 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 rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 29 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 9.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 21 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 17 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.6% | 5 |
| 4 | Tyres | 0.2% | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Wipers | 22 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 2 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 2 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 2 |
| 6 | Front fog lamps | 2 |
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 | 9.0% | 76 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.0% | 34 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.5% | 21 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.4% | 20 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 687 | 1.8% |
| 30-60k | 141 | 1.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 401 | 2.0% |
| 2025 | 410 | 1.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Jimny
On a 2021 Jimny, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (2.0% 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 (0.6% 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 2021 Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT?
98.1% of the 844 2021 Suzuki Jimny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 1.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Suzuki Jimny?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Does the 2021 Jimny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 1.8% in the 0-30k band to 1.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 844 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.