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Suzuki Baleno reliability by build year

Coverage 2016-present2 named generationsHatchbackHYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL
At a glance

Suzuki Baleno built around 2018: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Suzuki Balenos built around 2018 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Suzuki Baleno by number plate

Key figure

6.2% of MOT tests on Suzuki Balenos built around 2018 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.4%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Suzuki Balenos built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Suzuki Baleno's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Baleno's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Baleno Mk2

Mk2 (2016-2019)

Poor
HYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

22.2% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,222 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

28.0% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 19.1% and 39.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 75 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Suzuki Baleno.

See every build year for the Suzuki Baleno

Side-by-side

Suzuki Baleno generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2016-2019)
Poor
Poor22.2%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,222 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating28.0%likely between 19.1% and 39.0%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 75 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Baleno, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Suzuki Baleno fail rate by age

This chart combines every Suzuki Baleno ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
30215.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,52317.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,22222.2%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,83422.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,30622.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
7528.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Suzuki Baleno stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Suzuki models

7th of 7

The highest fail rate of the 7 Suzuki models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

69th of 84

69th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

22.2%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Suzuki Balenos

These issues come from 7-year-old Suzuki Balenos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.3%
    Advisory: 652Fail: 79 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    16.2%
    Advisory: 621Fail: 21 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    14.3%
    Advisory: 581Fail: 92 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    Suspension ball joint dust cover badly deteriorated

    10.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Suspension ball joint dust cover no longer keeps dirt out

    8.5%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 290 (100% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,222 MOT tests on 7-year-old Suzuki Balenos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Suzuki Balenos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension40%
  2. Suspension + Tyres33%
  3. Brakes + Tyres30%
  4. Other + Suspension16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 779 MOT tests on Suzuki Baleno cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Suzuki Baleno.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

All 5 Suzuki Baleno recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Possibility that the drivers side airbag when activated may deploy with a force greater than originally designed
  • Some vehicles have an inappropriate design and material on check valve of vacuum pump
  • Integrated starter generator belt belt may fail

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 22.2% for the Suzuki Baleno, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 22.2% for the Suzuki Baleno, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Peugeot 108

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.5%

    Lower fail rate: 14.3%, against 22.2% for the Suzuki Baleno, both built around 2018.

    10,851 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Citroen C1

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 14.8%, against 22.2% for the Suzuki Baleno, both built around 2018.

    8,956 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Suzuki Baleno across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the highest fail rate of the 7 Suzuki models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,222 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Suzuki Baleno ever sold: 8,262 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,222 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.