2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 72.2% of Suzuki Balenos first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 5,715 Baleno first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and tyres.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Suzuki Balenos first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
72.2%
of 1,883 first tests; all cars first used in 2016: 74.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
5,715
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,883 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
33.7%
of 1,883 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
55,500
middle half: 41,000–73,500 miles; all cars first used in 2016: 67,500

How the 2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Balenos first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Baleno figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2016 BalenoAll cars first used in 2016
70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2016, test year 2021: 82.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2022: 80.9%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2023: 78.6%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2024: 76.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2025: 74.9%2016 Baleno, test year 2021: 80.9%2016 Baleno, test year 2022: 76.4%2016 Baleno, test year 2023: 75.5%2016 Baleno, test year 2024: 73.3%2016 Baleno, test year 2025: 72.2%74.9%72.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2016 BalenoAll cars first used 2016Baleno first tests
202180.9%82.7%1,937
202276.4%80.9%1,922
202375.5%78.6%1,924
202473.3%76.7%1,908
202572.2%74.9%1,883

Common 2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT failures

Share of the 1,504 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Suspension44.0%
Brakes25.6%
Tyres23.3%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment21.4%
Visibility20.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks2.3%
Body, chassis, structure2.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt32.9%495
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm14.0%210
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.4%142
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively8.8%133
Horn: not working8.2%123

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2016 Suzuki Baleno before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

Common 2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 Balenos, as a share of all 5,715 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material16.6%948
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.4%939
Coil spring: corroded13.3%761
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.4%536
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.1%408

Questions about the 2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Suzuki Baleno?

In 2025, 72.2% of Balenos first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2016 Baleno most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 44.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (25.6%) and tyres (23.3%). The single most common item was “Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (32.9%).

How often does a 2016 Suzuki Baleno fail its MOT?

In 2025, 27.8% of first tests on Balenos first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 24.2% failed, and a further 3.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,504 of 5,715 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 16.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.4%), “Coil spring: corroded” (13.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.4%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.1%).

Is a 2016 Suzuki Baleno reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 80.9% in 2021 to 72.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2016

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics

How the 2016 Suzuki Baleno MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2016 Baleno” means a Suzuki Baleno whose date of first use falls in 2016 (65, 16 and 66 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2016, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.