2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Suzuki Baleno MOT pass rate and common faults

1,438 MOT tests in 2024. 74.4% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time74.4%
Failed or needed repairs25.6%
Typical mileage at test37,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,438 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.9%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    60 marked dangerous
  4. Horn: not working1.7%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.3%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.2%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.0%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
    15 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension11.2%
  2. Lights & electrics8.6%
  3. Brakes7.3%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  5. Tyres5.1%
  6. Seat belts & airbags0.5%
  7. Steering0.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.4%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened7.4%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2017 BalenoAll Baleno years2019 Baleno →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

In 2024, 74.4% of 2018 Suzuki Baleno cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,438 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2018 Suzuki Baleno reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).