Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2018 Suzuki Baleno reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,432 vehicles, the 2018 Suzuki Baleno has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 Suzuki Baleno are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (39.5% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (34.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (32% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Suzuki Baleno (2018)

1,432 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84.8% first-time pass rate

2018 Suzuki Baleno

CarHunch analysed 1,432 real MOT records for the 2018 Suzuki Baleno. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2018 Suzuki Baleno is a reliable performer, with an 84.8% first-time pass rate that sits comfortably above the UK average of 80%. However, 17.5% of vehicles have suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth noting if you're buying secondhand.

At 30,393 miles median mileage, these cars are running relatively light for their age, suggesting they've been looked after reasonably well. The average of 1.07 failures per test indicates minor wear-and-tear issues are normal, but 6.0 advisories per vehicle tells you to budget for some remedial maintenance—get a pre-purchase inspection done to identify which items need attention first.

The 2018 Suzuki Baleno passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (84.8%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

84.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

17.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.07

Over 6.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

30k

Middle half: 21k–41k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,432 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,432 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 39.5%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 29.2%

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 22.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 12.6%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,432 Suzuki Baleno cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Suzuki Baleno

Based on MOT data from 1,432 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	1,387	84.8%	1.07

Colour Breakdown

Based on 19,788 Suzuki Baleno vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.7%

5,087

Red 21.3%

4,212

White 17.4%

3,447

Green 12.9%

2,554

Silver 12.3%

2,433

Black 3.8%

759

Turquoise 3.6%

715

Grey 2.8%

559

Maroon 0.1%

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Suzuki Baleno vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

30,393

typical

21,061

low mileage

41,324

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Suzuki Baleno vehicles fall between 21,061 and 41,324 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 21,061 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 21,061–41,324 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Suzuki Balenos sit.

⚠ Over 55,787 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Suzuki Baleno — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Suzuki Balenos are still on the road.

Strong survival — 1,382 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

6.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.07

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Suzuki Baleno: All Baleno years → Which year to buy? →

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2016 2017 2019

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Average reliability — agree?