Chassis / body rust
usually 100,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rust on the frame, sills and floor
Fix: Rust treatment / repair
€300–1,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Suzuki Jimny (1998–2018)
1998–2018
2
engines covered
9
known faults
21,547
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
8
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Suzuki Jimny (1998–2018) was built from 1998 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 9 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Crankshaft bearing wear: it usually appears at 180,000–280,000 km and costs €1,500–3,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (16.7 %), brakes (14.2 %), body and corrosion (12.7 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks. It fails less often than average on: steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-20 · API SL/SN · ~3.8 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.5 dCi (K9K) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 72 mo | 5W-30 · Renault RN0720 (DPF) / RN0710 · ~4.5 L · every 10,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Front axle / steering damper (wobble)
usually 100,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Steering shimmy after bumps
Fix: Replace kingpin bearings / damper
€150–500
Faults by engine
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series)
Timing chain tensioner rattle
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle on start
Fix: Replace tensioner / chain
€300–700
Valve clearance (shims)
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Ticking; check more often on LPG
Fix: Adjust clearances
€150–350
1.5 dCi (K9K)
Injector wear
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, smoke
Fix: Replace injectors
€600–1,400
Crankshaft bearing wear
usually 180,000–280,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knock under load; worse on older engines
Fix: Keep oil changes at 10,000 km
€1,500–3,000
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€250–1,200
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic 4-speed (older)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| AWD coupling (Haldex) oil + filterTransmission | every 60,000 km or every 36 months | €60–150 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 21,547 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.1 % | 8.8 % | 14.2 % | 16.1 % | 16.5 % |
| Suspension | 7.7 % | 9.8 % | 12.5 % | 14.5 % | 15.5 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.9 % | 1.9 % | 2.1 % | 3.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 1.2 % | 1.9 % | 2.2 % | 3.0 % | 3.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.8 % | 9.6 % | 16.7 % | 20.1 % | 20.5 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.2 % | 5.5 % | 12.7 % | 15.7 % | 16.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.8 % | 3.8 % | 8.4 % | 11.2 % | 13.6 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (8). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fuel system Jimny Fuel Pump Replacement08/04/2024 · R/2024/138
- Fuel system The fuel feeding impeller in the fuel pump may be swollen and deformed12/07/2021 · R/2021/172
- Airbag Improper design of the driver side and the passenger side door harnesses may affect air bag operation12/07/2021 · R/2021/173
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Braking performance may be reduced28/10/2016 · R/2016/211
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Loss of stability25/09/2015 · R/2015/163
- Steering Steering effort may decrease04/06/2014 · R/2014/061
- Steering Loss of steering assistance.26/07/2010 · R/2010/067
- Gearbox Gearbox selector yoke concern02/11/2001 · R/2001/126
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026