Does the Suzuki Baleno fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Suzuki Baleno records 17.20 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 4.06 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+13.14, 95% interval +12.70 to +13.58). It ranks 35 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Suzuki Baleno by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Suzuki Baleno is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 2,597 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 2,597 | 7.66 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 2,459 | 7.25 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 206 | 0.61 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 199 | 0.59 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 119 | 0.35 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 33,906 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Suzuki Baleno gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
23.5% of Suzuki Baleno MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,413 miles later (1,328 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,328 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Suzuki Baleno 2016 · Suzuki Baleno 2017 · Suzuki Baleno 2018 · Suzuki Baleno 2019 · Suzuki Baleno in the Netherlands · Suzuki Baleno by postcode area · Suzuki Baleno body, chassis and structure failures · Suzuki Baleno brakes failures · Suzuki Baleno vehicle identification failures · Suzuki Baleno lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Suzuki Baleno noise, emissions and leaks failures · Suzuki Baleno road wheels failures · Suzuki Baleno seat belts and airbags failures · Suzuki Baleno steering failures · Suzuki Baleno tyres failures · Suzuki Baleno visibility failures