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Suzuki Baleno Mk2 (2016-2019) reliability

At a glance

Suzuki Baleno Mk2 built around 2018: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Suzuki Baleno Mk2 models 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.

Looking at a Suzuki Baleno Mk2?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

6.2% of MOT tests on Suzuki Baleno Mk2 models 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 Baleno Mk2 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Suzuki Baleno Mk2
poor reliability2016-2019HatchbackPETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 8,187 tests of Baleno models registered 2016-2019.

About 1 in 15 Baleno Mk2 MOTs (6.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,222 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 Baleno Mk2 MOTs (4.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 2,222 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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%

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 7 years old.

How the Baleno Mk2 compares

At each age below, see how the Baleno Mk2 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 43,996 tests across 7 Suzuki models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSuzuki average
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%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Baleno Mk2.

  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 Mk2, 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 Mk2, 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 Mk2, 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 Mk2, 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.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

3 of the 5 Baleno Mk2 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Some vehicles have an inappropriate design and material on check valve of vacuum pump
  • Integrated starter generator belt belt may fail
  • Battery may fail to charge which could cause engine to stall and lights to fade

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

What has gone wrong on Baleno Mk2 cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 104 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
30%
Emissions
1%
Steering
1%

Wear items

Tyres
18%
Brakes
13%
Lighting
9%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Baleno tests (not specific to Mk2).

Under 1.0 litre22.1%1,329 tests1.0 to 1.4 litres22.6%796 tests
How Baleno Mk2 cars have aged

How Baleno Mk2 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (1,008 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (977 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (941 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (948 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (1,297 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.4% (1,221 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (1,235 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (1,227 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (1,186 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (1,979 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 18.7% (1,903 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (1,869 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (1,849 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,803 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (1,477 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (1,426 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (1,376 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (1,306 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.2% (1,306 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2019First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016
How each part holds up as Mk2 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk2 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension11%30%38%
Brakes5%13%21%
EmissionsNo figure1%1%
Tyres11%18%19%
Lighting4%9%7%
Drivetrain1%No figureNo figure
SteeringNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%4%3%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 79 to 156 cars at each age.

Mk2 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Suzuki Balenos of this age

This list covers every Suzuki Baleno built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Suzuki Baleno Mk2?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Suzuki Baleno Mk2 (2016-2019) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,222 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 8,187 MOT tests on Suzuki Balenos first registered between 2016-2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.