Suzuki Jimny (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 249 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 10 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Suzuki Jimny

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1298cc28 years old249 tests87k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1298cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Suzuki brand average of 82%.

72% of MOT tests on Suzuki Jimnys from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 249 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 86,950 miles.

Got a Suzuki Jimny you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models205th of 325(bottom half)

Rank among Suzuki models230th of 305(bottom 25%)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-3%(75% avg)

vs Suzuki average-10%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

86,950

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Suzuki Jimny had 86,950 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Suzuki Jimny?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1998 scores 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Suzuki Jimny by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	93%	61	2,882 mi
2021	92%	37	22,760 mi
2020	95%	1,447	21,916 mi
2019	95%	2,046	27,369 mi
2018	86%	832	29,945 mi
2017	87%	1,587	31,687 mi
2016	87%	1,627	38,681 mi
2015	83%	1,661	44,085 mi
2014	84%	1,396	47,704 mi
2013	83%	1,621	54,678 mi
2012	83%	1,695	58,922 mi
2011	79%	1,339	62,289 mi
2010	79%	1,249	67,375 mi
2009	80%	1,485	71,005 mi
2008	76%	2,167	76,833 mi
2007	75%	3,155	81,208 mi
2006	73%	3,044	83,462 mi
2005	73%	3,185	84,867 mi
2004	70%	3,683	86,932 mi
2003	74%	3,098	91,083 mi
2002	73%	2,396	93,267 mi
2001	72%	1,524	88,613 mi
2000	71%	1,211	87,550 mi
1999	67%	984	89,081 mi
1998	72%	249	86,950 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+1%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-1%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+17%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-2%

Check a Specific Suzuki Jimny

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1998 Suzuki Jimny

The 1998 Suzuki Jimny is a small family car. Our records list a 1298cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 249 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 86,950 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Suzuki Jimny owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1998 Suzuki Jimny Fuel Costs

The 1298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 Suzuki Jimny?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Suzuki Jimny Reliability Trend

Newer Suzuki Jimnys pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1998 Suzuki Jimny

At 28 years old, the Suzuki Jimny is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 87k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1998 Suzuki Jimny stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Suzuki Jimny(1998)	72%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£378
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£373
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1998 Suzuki Jimny

Is the 1998 Suzuki Jimny reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 1998 Suzuki Jimnys ended in a pass, from 249 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Suzuki Jimny cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Suzuki Jimny?

72% of 249 MOT tests on the 1998 Suzuki Jimny ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 205th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom half).

Which year Suzuki Jimny has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Suzuki Jimny has the highest MOT pass rate at 95% and the 1999 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Suzuki Jimny?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Suzuki Jimny is 86,950 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.