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What to check: Suzuki Jimny

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Ranked across all years of the Suzuki Jimny, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 9.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.4%

Brake pipes underneathRuns high on this modelFollow the metal brake lines with a torch where they run along the sills and over the rear axle. White crust or flaking metal means they are corroding, and the online MOT history usually shows the same advisory creeping up for years before the fail.Recorded on 6.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.9%

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 2.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.2%

Wheel bearingsRuns high on this modelOn the test drive, listen for a drone that rises with road speed and shifts when you sway the car gently between lanes. That is a wheel bearing, and it only ever gets louder.Recorded on 2.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.5%

Lights and horn walkroundRuns high on this modelWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 2.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

LeaksRuns high on this modelLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 1.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.0%

Underneath, with a torchRuns high on this modelGet down and look at the sills, the subframes and the rear suspension mounting points. Flaking scale and bubbling matter; light surface rust does not. On older cars this is the one check that finds the fault that scraps them.Recorded on 1.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.0%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourRuns high on this modelCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 18.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 11.1%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 8.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 10.1%

Windscreen and wipersRuns high on this modelScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 3.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Check the sills, wheel arches and tailgate bottom edge for bubbling paint or filler.Rust here on a pre-2018 car means expensive welding is coming, if it isn't needed already.

Look up the VIN on the DVSA recall checker before you view the car.An outstanding door-loom or fuel pump recall should be free to fix, but only if it's flagged and booked in.

Drive it at a steady 50-60mph on a flat, open road and let go of the wheel briefly.Noticeable wandering beyond normal Jimny character, or a wheel that needs constant correction, points to steering centring or worn kingpin bearings.

Apply the handbrake firmly on a slope and check it holds without excessive travel.A handbrake that needs pulling right up, or barely holds, suggests seized rear drum adjusters.

On an automatic, check the transmission fluid colour and smell it if you can get access.Dark or burnt-smelling fluid on a car that's clearly done serious off-roading suggests the torque converter has been overheating.

Ask for the full service history and any dealer work on the doors.Gaps around 2019-2020 with no mention of recall work are worth querying directly with a Suzuki dealer.

Full Suzuki Jimny reliability report