2013 Suzuki Splash — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,011 MOT tests, the 2013 Suzuki Splash recorded an 81.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (19.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 11.0% of tests against 7.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, wipers and coil spring — ball joint alone was recorded 1,175 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.7% in the 0-30k band and 24.1% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.0% | 2,308 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 1,526 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 1,410 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 950 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 691 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 200 |
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 | 1,175 |
| 2 | Wipers | 907 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 836 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 577 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 553 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 514 |
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 | 25.5% | 5,366 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 5,200 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.5% | 3,895 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.0% | 1,472 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 931 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 817 |
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 | 4,129 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 9,942 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 5,075 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,530 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 281 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 54 | 24.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,063 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 4,206 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 4,204 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 4,267 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 4,271 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Splash
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.7% 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.
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 2013 Suzuki Splashs pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 21,011 2013 Suzuki Splash MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Suzuki Splash?
Suspension, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.3%).
Does the 2013 Splash get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,011 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.