Buying a Used Suzuki Jimny: What to Check

Few cars have the following the Jimny has. People love the look, the size and the fact that it is a genuine little four-wheel drive. Demand has been strong for years, and that shows up in used prices. When you pay good money for one, you want to get a good one.

Here is what I look at when a used Jimny comes in.

The basics

The current Jimny uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 75 kW and 130 Nm, with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Unlike many small SUVs, it has a ladder frame and a part-time four-wheel-drive system with low range. It is built to go off-road.

Three-door or five-door XL?

For years the Jimny was only sold in Australia as a three-door. The five-door Jimny XL arrived in 2024, about 340 mm longer, with easier access to the back seat and more boot space. If you carry passengers or luggage often, the XL is worth a look. If you want the classic shape and the tightest size for off-road tracks, the three-door is the one. Supply of new three-door Jimnys has been limited at times, which helps keep good used ones in demand.

Manual or automatic?

The manual suits people who enjoy driving and want a little more control off-road. The automatic is the easier car to live with in Brisbane traffic. Both are proven, so choose the one that suits how you drive. Test drive it on the motorway as well as around town: the Jimny is short, upright and light, and it feels it at highway speeds.

Check for off-road wear

Many Jimnys never leave the city. Some spend every weekend on the beach or in the bush. Look underneath for scrapes and dents, and for damage to the steering and suspension parts. Check for sand and salt, and for corrosion, especially if the car has been driven on Queensland beaches. Ask the owner directly how the car has been used.

Modifications

The Jimny is one of the most modified cars on the road. Bull bars, all-terrain tyres, roof racks and raised suspension are common, and some add real value. Make sure any modifications comply with Queensland rules, are certified where required, and are declared to your insurer. Bigger tyres and lifts change how the car drives and brakes, so take that into account on the test drive.

Service history and the usual checks

A full service history matters on any car. Also run a PPSR check to confirm there is no finance owing and no written-off record, and check for outstanding recalls by VIN on the Australian Government’s vehicle recall register.

Our Jimny

We currently have a 2024 Suzuki Jimny GLX automatic, a three-door, in our West End showroom. It has been fitted with accessories including a bull bar and all-terrain tyres. You can see it at the end of this article, and you can read how we select used cars.

Quick answers

What engine does the Suzuki Jimny have?

A 1.5-litre petrol engine making 75 kW and 130 Nm, with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

What is the difference between the Jimny and the Jimny XL?

The XL is the five-door version, about 340 mm longer, with easier rear-seat access and more boot space. It uses the same engine.

Is the Jimny a real four-wheel drive?

Yes. It has a ladder frame and a part-time four-wheel-drive system with low range.

Do Jimnys hold their value?

Good examples have held their value well because demand has been strong, but always compare the price with the car’s condition, kilometres and history.

Looking for a Jimny in Brisbane?

See our current cars, book a test drive, or ask our vehicle sourcing service to find the Jimny you want.