Model reliability

Suzuki Baleno reliability

The Suzuki Baleno fails its MOT about as often as most cars 6 to 10 years old: 24.6% of 4,186 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

18.4% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 2,548 MOT tests of Suzuki Balenos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 2× as oftenWipers4.4% vs 2.1%

Fails 13× as oftenSuspension arms3.8% vs 0.3%

Fails 63% more oftenTyre tread depth2.6% vs 1.6%Fix about £90

Fails 2× as oftenWashers2.2% vs 1.1%

Advised 5× as oftenSuspension arms4.8% vs 1%

Advised 42× as oftenRigid brake pipes4.2% vs 0.1%Fix about £120

6 to 10 years old

24.6% failed their MOT

About average

From 4,186 MOT tests of Suzuki Balenos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 4× as oftenSuspension arms10.3% vs 2.3%

Fails 9× as oftenElectrical equipment2.8% vs 0.3%

Fails 39% more oftenWipers2.5% vs 1.8%

Fails 6× as oftenRigid brake pipes1.7% vs 0.3%Fix about £120

Advised 2× as oftenSuspension arms10.7% vs 5.3%

Advised 7× as oftenRigid brake pipes10.4% vs 1.6%Fix about £120

Advised 5× as oftenSprings8.2% vs 1.5%Fix about £150

Safety recalls

5 DVSA recalls for the Suzuki Baleno

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2022/2671 Dec 2022Built 2016–2018Some vehicles have an inappropriate design and material on check valve of vacuum pump

Some vehicles have an inappropriate design and material on the check valve of brake vacuum pump.

Fix: Replace the vacuum pump check valve.

Recalled models: BALENO · 71,508 vehicles

R/2018/07826 Mar 2018Built 2016–2017Integrated starter generator belt belt may fail

Due to a lack of strength in the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) Belt may break during usage. If this happens the water pump will become inoperative and the charging light will illuminate. The coolant temperature warning light will also light due to an increase in coolant temperature. In the worst case scenario the engine may stall and not restart.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the ISG belt.

Recalled models: BALENO · 2,247 vehicles

R/2018/07113 Mar 2018Built 2016–2017Battery may fail to charge which could cause engine to stall and lights to fade

Due to incorrect software in the Engine Control Module (ECM) the ENG A-STOP (Engine Auto Stop Start System) OFF light may blink & the ENG A-STOP system may become inoperative. If the car is driven continuously in this condition the lead-acid battery will not be charged. In the worst case there is a possibility that the lights will dim and the engine may stall and not restart due to low battery voltage.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and reprogramme the ECM with corrected software.

Recalled models: BALENO · 6,313 vehicles

R/2000/0148 May 2000Built 1995–1999Front suspension strut mounting studs may shear

Due to flexing of the suspension strut mounting turret it is possible that the suspension strut mounting studs may shear. Should all 3 mounting studs shear the suspension strut may detach from the mounting turret.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles for the fitment of upper and lower reinforcement plates to the suspension turret and the fitment of new strut mountings.

Recalled models: BALENO · 3,115 vehicles

R/1999/04525 Jun 1999Built 1997–1998Possibility that the drivers side airbag when activated may deploy with a force greater than originally designed

During manufacture of the airbag propellant module the propellant crystals were exposed to a high humidity environment which increased the moisture content to 1.2% with the result that during activation the airbag might deploy with a greater force than originally designed.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and replace the drivers airbag with a quality assured unit.

Recalled models: BALENO · 137 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Suzuki Baleno before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Suzuki Baleno reliability

5 DVSA recalls for the Suzuki Baleno

Checking a Suzuki Baleno before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.