Suzuki Baleno Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki Baleno car check
Is the Suzuki Baleno reliable? We analysed 151,824 real MOT tests across 19,839 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki Baleno? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki Baleno is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, brake pipe excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki Baleno.
Suzuki Baleno Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki Baleno. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki Baleno MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki Baleno to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki Baleno Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki Baleno fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki Baleno Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki Baleno owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki Baleno MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki Baleno year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5,386 | 86.9% | 16,619 | 26,132 | 38,955 |
| 2018 | 9,236 | 82.1% | 19,409 | 30,600 | 45,600 |
| 2017 | 17,779 | 82.0% | 23,055 | 35,509 | 52,331 |
| 2016 | 16,524 | 82.3% | 24,134 | 37,401 | 54,635 |
| 2002 | 668 | 71.6% | 43,214 | 62,748 | 84,622 |
| 2001 | 8,830 | 71.7% | 48,318 | 66,274 | 87,658 |
| 2000 | 15,865 | 70.0% | 50,225 | 69,016 | 88,956 |
| 1999 | 19,134 | 68.3% | 55,159 | 72,740 | 91,796 |
| 1998 | 22,173 | 67.1% | 58,224 | 75,608 | 95,245 |
| 1997 | 18,438 | 66.4% | 60,657 | 79,682 | 100,217 |
| 1996 | 11,884 | 66.4% | 62,542 | 80,948 | 100,290 |
| 1995 | 5,494 | 66.2% | 65,115 | 82,495 | 100,634 |
How Long Does a Suzuki Baleno Last?
Based on 19,839 Suzuki Baleno vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki Baleno Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki Baleno MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki Baleno
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.9% MOT pass rate from 5,386 tests
66.2% MOT pass rate from 5,494 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki Baleno is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.9% across 5,386 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki Baleno Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Baleno THIS CAR | 72.7% | 151,824 | 62,611 mi | 31 yrs |
| Suzuki Swift | 76.1% | 2,247,517 | 51,601 mi | 31 yrs |
| Suzuki Alto | 74% | 1,154,186 | 41,167 mi | 28 yrs |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 76.2% | 1,025,634 | 67,542 mi | 28 yrs |
| BMW 540 | 71.9% | 50,016 | 113,668 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki Baleno trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki Baleno you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Suzuki BalenoShould you buy a used Suzuki Baleno?
The Suzuki Baleno has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.7% across 151,824 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Suzuki Baleno are constant velocity joint gaiter split (8,948 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (8,415), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5,660). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Suzuki Baleno owner drives around 5,268 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Suzuki Baleno models stay on UK roads for around 31 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.