2019 Suzuki Baleno — MOT failures & pass rate
4,724 MOT tests on the 2019 Suzuki Baleno are in this dataset, and 91.2% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 10.0% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (5.6%) and tyres (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, washers and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 243 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.5% once past 60-90k — 3.4× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.6% | 263 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.1% | 145 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 141 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 107 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 85 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 243 |
| 2 | Washers | 92 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 79 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 77 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 62 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 45 |
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 | 19.1% | 903 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.8% | 700 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 400 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 263 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 156 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 38 |
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 | 2,922 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,538 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 229 | 20.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 4.8% |
| 2022 | 1,158 | 5.1% |
| 2023 | 1,161 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 1,141 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 1,201 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Baleno
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 5.6% of tests. Start there.
- Visibility (5.6% 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.
- Tyres (3.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.0% 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 2019 Suzuki Balenos pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 4,724 2019 Suzuki Baleno MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Suzuki Baleno?
Visibility, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by tyres (3.1%).
Does the 2019 Baleno get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,724 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.