Makes › Suzuki › Baleno

Suzuki Baleno reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 42,255 MOT tests of cars first registered 2016–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
78.4%pass first time
−5.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 8%of cars
42,255MOT tests

Verdict

The Suzuki Baleno passes its MOT first time on 78.4% of tests, 5.4 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (83.7%). That puts it ahead of 8% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2019 Baleno does best (beats 19% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 2%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension2.8×as often as a typical car
Visibility1.8×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers37.1×as often as a typical car
Windscreen wipers1.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%34567891088%84%79%77%74%71%71%71%
Suzuki BalenoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2016
Beats 18%
2017
Beats 5%
2018
Beats 2%
2019
Beats 19%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol2016–201933,65578.6%Beats 12%E
1.2 Petrol2017–20198,60077.2%Beats 2%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 0.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 7.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−0.6 ptsTyres: 5.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.2 ptsBrakes: 4.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.4 ptsSuspension: 7.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−4.8 ptsExhaust: 0.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 ptsSuspension: 7.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 0.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−0.6 ptsTyres: 5.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.2 ptsBrakes: 4.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.4 ptsSuspension: 7.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−4.8 ptsExhaust: 0.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 7.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
7.6% vs 2.7%
Visibility
6.0% vs 3.3%
Tyres
5.2% vs 5.0%
Lights & electrics
4.7% vs 4.1%
Brakes
4.4% vs 2.9%
Emissions & leaks
0.3% vs 1.1%
Body & structure
0.3% vs 0.8%
Steering
0.2% vs 0.6%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.3%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Windscreen wipers 1.9× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre tread depth 1.7× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Tyre pressure warning (TPMS) 2.3× typical
    Make sure no tyre-pressure warning light stays on after start-up.
  • Handbrake performance 3.0× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Brake discs 1.8× typical
    Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge.
  • Brake performance 1.9× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k91%88%83%79%74%71%67%67%64%
Suzuki BalenoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Ball joint dust covers5.5%0.1%37.1×
Windscreen wipers3.8%2.0%1.9×
Tyre tread depth2.8%1.6%1.7×
Windscreen washers2.4%1.2%1.9×
Horn1.8%0.1%23.2×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)1.4%0.6%2.3×
Tyre damage & cracking1.4%3.0%0.5×
Brake pipes1.2%0.1%14.9×
Headlight aim1.2%1.6%0.7×
Brake pads1.1%1.6%0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc60.6
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen37.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements27.6
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen23.7
A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative13.9
Audible warning inoperative13.5
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded11.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements11.7
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2019 Suzuki Baleno2 engines84.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol2,96784.7%Beats 25%D
1.2 Petrol2,30583.6%Beats 15%E
2018 Suzuki Baleno2 engines77.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol4,39079.8%Beats 6%E
1.2 Petrol3,85075.1%Beats 0%E
2017 Suzuki Baleno2 engines76.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol11,99577.1%Beats 6%E
1.2 Petrol2,44574.5%Beats 1%E
2016 Suzuki Baleno1 engine78.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol14,30378.3%Beats 18%E

FAQ

What is the Suzuki Baleno MOT pass rate?

78.4% of MOT tests on the Suzuki Baleno were passed first time, based on 42,255 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2016–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 83.7% of the time.

Is the Suzuki Baleno reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 8% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Suzuki Baleno year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2019 Baleno does best for its age and mileage: it beats 19% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Suzuki Baleno?

The most common failure items are ball joint dust covers, windscreen wipers, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, ball joint dust covers comes up 37.1× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.