Used car guide · 2008–2015

Suzuki Splash common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Suzuki Splash, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 52,228 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

52,228MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
17,154on the UK register
2014best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20152014201320122011201020092008

What usually goes wrong with a Suzuki Splash?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Suzuki Splash in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Suzuki Splash MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Front strut mounts and bushes

    up to 9.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 performance

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 joint

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 hoses

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

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

Diesel

  • Front strut mounts and bushes

    up to 8.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009.

    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 joint

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009.

    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.

Suzuki Splash MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Suzuki Splash did best (72% passed first time, 2 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2009 did worst (54%, 5 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201576%74% +2177 (small sample)
201472%70% +29,127
201368%67% +110,157
201265%64% +110,919
201159%62% -34,505
201056%60% -44,290
200954%59% -57,680
200853%57% -45,373

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Suzuki Splash

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the Suzuki Splash as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Suzuki Splash as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 9.9× as often on the Suzuki Splash as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Splash?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score