2018 Suzuki Baleno — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,322 MOT tests, the 2018 Suzuki Baleno recorded an 86.2% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 11.3% of the time, so this is 2.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.3%) and visibility (5.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, wipers and tread depth — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 642 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.4% in the 0-30k band and 25.2% in the 90-120k band, a 15.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.3% | 527 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.3% | 439 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 368 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.3% | 362 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.7% | 227 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint dust cover | 642 |
| 2 | Wipers | 423 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 273 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 154 |
| 5 | Washers | 148 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 115 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.5% | 1,709 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 1,302 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.2% | 1,180 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 464 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 256 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 116 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 4,165 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,285 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 705 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 131 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,042 | 13.7% |
| Hybrid | 280 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,579 | 7.8% |
| 2022 | 1,598 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 1,689 | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 1,710 | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 1,746 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Baleno
On a 2018 Baleno, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (5.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2018 Suzuki Balenos pass their MOT?
86.2% of the 8,322 2018 Suzuki Baleno MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?
Suspension, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by visibility (5.3%).
Does the 2018 Baleno get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,322 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.