Used car guide

2011 Suzuki Splash: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Suzuki Splashs, from 1,469 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,469MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
4,500typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Suzuki Splashs than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.5× usual
    Suzuki Splash
    27.3% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Suzuki Splash
    11.3% All 2011 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Suzuki Splash
    11.3% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.9× usual
    Suzuki Splash
    5.5% All 2011 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes5.6× usual
    Suzuki Splash
    3.9% All 2011 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.9% here, against 8.9% of all 2011 cars. Brake pads: 4.2% here, against 9.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Suzuki Splash MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Suzuki Splash?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20143,061Suspension 31%
20133,363Suspension 37%
20123,584Suspension 43%
20101,396Suspension 52%
20092,442Suspension 56%
20081,662Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Suzuki Splashs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score