2010 Suzuki Splash — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,930 MOT tests, the 2010 Suzuki Splash recorded a 72.6% pass rate. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.9% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and rigid brake pipes — coil spring alone was recorded 731 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.5% in the 0-30k band and 41.1% in the 150k+ band, a 23.6-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.5pp more often than petrol ones (32.6% vs 27.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.9% | 1,779 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 1,287 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 870 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 517 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 417 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 251 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 731 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 667 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 608 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 606 |
| 5 | Wipers | 468 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 336 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 38.9% | 3,867 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.5% | 3,124 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.2% | 2,700 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.5% | 944 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 757 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 630 |
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 | 896 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 3,919 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,488 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,281 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 273 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 73 | 41.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,261 | 27.1% |
| Diesel | 669 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,105 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 2,054 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 2,007 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 1,921 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 1,843 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Splash
On a 2010 Splash, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.9% 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.
- Brakes (13.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% 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 2010 Suzuki Splashs pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 9,930 2010 Suzuki Splash MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Suzuki Splash?
Suspension, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 2010 Splash get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 41.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,930 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.