Small car · 1996–2019 cars
Suzuki Baleno reliability
The Suzuki Baleno fails 23.3% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 20,290 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Suzuki Baleno before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 23.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 20,290
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Suzuki Baleno ages
Each point is the share of Suzuki Balenos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Suzuki Baleno | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13.3% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 19.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 23.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 25.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 26.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 27.7% | 25.5% |
By year
The best and worst Suzuki Baleno years
2019 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Baleno | 2,606 | 15.2% | 28% more fails | 24,565 |
| 2018 Baleno | 4,638 | 20.7% | 51% more fails | 30,048 |
| 2017 Baleno | 6,934 | 25.5% | 56% more fails | 38,258 |
| 2016 Baleno | 5,697 | 24.7% | 33% more fails | 43,044 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Suzuki Baleno
Its weak spot is suspension: 240% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension9.1%240% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%73% above avg
- Tyres5.4%11% above avg
- Lights and electrics5.2%24% above avg
- Brakes4.9%59% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.5%40% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%61% below avg
- Steering0.3%43% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%19% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 6.35% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.25% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.7% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Horn not working 1.44% of tests
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.39% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 1.18% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 7
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.97% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Suzuki Baleno's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.73%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.52%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.54%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion5.92%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.91%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.08%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Suzuki Baleno
- 1
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Horn not working
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Suzuki Baleno covers about 7,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol96.3%
- Hybrid3.7%
Most common colours
White, Red, Blue, Silver, Grey
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the Suzuki Baleno compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A2 | 43.5% | about average for its age |
| Suzuki Wagon-R+ | 44.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 106 | 44.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Saxo | 46.3% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Tigra | 48.1% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Baleno | 23.3% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Picasso | 27.8% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Suzuki models.
Questions
Suzuki Baleno questions, answered
Is the Suzuki Baleno reliable?
On MOT results, the Suzuki Baleno is well below average: it fails 23.3% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 54 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Suzuki Baleno MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Suzuki Baleno are ball joint dust cover no longer sealed (6.35% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.25% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.7% of tests). By area, suspension fails 9.1% of its tests.
Which Suzuki Baleno year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (28% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (56% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Suzuki Baleno do a year?
A typical Suzuki Baleno covers about 7,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Suzuki Baleno before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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