Suzuki Jimnys have taken over the UK with their cult following and cool looks – but what makes them so special?

At the Clever Car Collection we have been at the forefront of Suzuki Jimny imports from Japan since we visited the huge auctions in Tokyo.

The sales there will blow your mind. The USS Tokyo sells more than 18,000 cars a day with all of the vehicles on site to view (see our video below). It’s mind boggling.

But why are these Jimnys there? Well, Suzuki stopped bringing them into the UK as passenger cars in 2020. This was because their emissions were affecting Suzuki’s overall fleet emissions targets – stringent rules set by the government – which made it hard for them to continue.

After 2020, Suzuki instead started bringing them in as commercial vehicles, so without the rear seats and a cage between the front seats and the back. In early 2025, Suzuki stopped those too.

That means the only way to get your hands on a delivery mileage Suzuki now is through import specialists like the Clever Car Collection. 

You can see why we love them so much in this video below.

We secure these Jimnys from Japan and bring them across to the UK. We deal with the shipping, taxes and conversions as well as the Individual Vehicle Assessments (IVA) that all cars under 10 years old coming to the UK have to go through.

Conversions include changing the stereos to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto units, converting the speedo from kph to mph and changing the language on the little digital display between the clocks.

We also add a fog light (something not used in Japan) and then they’re ready to go.

We’ve sold a huge number of these cult little cars because people absolutely love them.

Customers have converted them into camping cars with roof boxes and roof tents, others have used them for their woodland work, and others simply love driving them around town as they’re small, compact and great fun.

The spec in them is simple, but has everything you’d really need. Climate control air con, heated front seats, electric windows and that’s about it. 

Driving them is a unique experience. They have a lot of character and drive like a 4x4. They’re a bit rock and rolly, and not the fastest – but they will certainly make you smile.

The other nice thing about cars coming from Japan is they’re predominantly an auto market so all of our imports come as autos. 

These Suzuki Jimnys are also proper off roaders. They have switchable four-wheel drive and can genuinely tackle some impressive off roading. 

We like to fit roof racks to the cars we have for sale because it adds some extra practicality but also makes them look really rather cool. Our customers have added all sorts of optional extras like ladders on the back too – all for an extra cool factor.

How to buy one

We don’t always have Jimnys for sale on our website but that will likely be because we’ve sold the ones we had – but we’ve always got some on the way.

We also offer an order service so you can secure your car in the colour you want. They mostly come in army green, battleship grey, black, white and blue.

Ordering with us takes around 3 months for the car to arrive and you will need to place a £1,000 deposit. We’ll then keep you posted on your car’s journey from Japan to us here in Gosport.

But also keep an eye on our website as we'll always be advertising the cars we do have! 

We offer nationwide delivery on all our cars – driven from Gosport to you costs £1.50 per mile. You can easily work out the cost on Google Maps. We also offer transported deliveries but contact us for details.

Warranty

We offer a year warranty on all our new Suzuki Jimnys. These cars are incredibly well made and reliable. They are given a delivery service (oil and filter change) prior to hand over to you.

MOTs are due three years after the date of first registration (and that will be its registration in Japan, not here) so usually you get a few years before an MOT is due.

What do you need to know about imported Suzuki Jimny models? 

Well, for a start, they don’t come undersealed like the UK cars as there is no salt on the roads in Japan, so we recommend you opt for our underseal treatment.

They cost (at time of writing this in May 2026) £235 a year to tax. Imported cars are a little different for tax.

Not all insurers will insure them, but we find Admiral are the best and treat these cars no differently to UK models and all our customers end up insuring with them.

And that’s about it. 

Buying an imported Suzuki Jimny is now the only way you can get your hands on these cool, cult cars. Once you’ve driven one you’ll realise why they have gained such an incredible following.

If you’re interested in buying a delivery mileage Suzuki Jimny, or just want some advice, give the Clever Car Collection a call. We’re an award-winning used car dealership based in Gosport, Hampshire, and we will be very happy to help.