2017 · 7 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2017 Suzuki Baleno MOT pass rate and common faults

2,170 MOT tests in 2024. 71.5% passed first time, compared with 79.8% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time71.5%
Failed or needed repairs28.5%
Typical mileage at test46,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,170 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    120 marked dangerous
  3. Horn: not working2.4%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    35 marked dangerous
  7. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative1.3%
  8. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.2%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension14.1%
  2. Brakes8.4%
  3. Tyres7.8%
  4. Lights & electrics7.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.7%
  6. Steering0.5%
  7. Body & chassis0.5%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.1%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 Suzuki Baleno?

In 2024, 71.5% of 2017 Suzuki Baleno cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,170 tests. The average for all 7-year-old cars was 79.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2017 Suzuki Baleno?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; horn: not working. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2017 Suzuki Baleno reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).