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Suzuki Splash car check

Find out if a Splash has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£3,77011 at dealers
MOT failure rate
21.7%73k tests
Known problems
5across A5A
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Splash are you looking at?

Each Splash generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Brake pipe corrosion and failure

    Safety risk A5A

    The Suzuki Splash suffers from premature corrosion of steel brake pipes, particularly where they pass through the rear beam mounting area and along the fuel tank. MOT data shows this model fails at 18.2 times the national fleet average for brake pipe corrosion, with the problem affecting all engine variants from relatively low mileages. The failure rate is worsening year-on-year, suggesting this is a design or material issue rather than age-related deterioration. Brake pipe failure can result in complete loss of braking ability.

    What to check: Inspect all visible brake pipes under the car, paying particular attention to the rear axle area and fuel tank mounting points. Look for brown rust staining, flaking metal, or white corrosion deposits on the steel pipes. Check for any damp patches under the car that might indicate brake fluid lea...

  2. Suspension bush and joint wear

    Wear item A5A

    The Suzuki Splash shows exceptional rates of suspension bush and joint wear, with MOT failure rates up to 23.6 times the national fleet average. The problem affects front lower arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and rear beam mounting bushes. Premature wear appears from as low as 20,000 miles on some examples, suggesting either poor quality components or inadequate design for UK road conditions. The failure rate is worsening year-on-year across all variants.

    What to check: Push down firmly on each corner of the car and release - it should bounce once and settle. Multiple bounces indicate worn shock absorbers. Look under the front of the car for cracked or perished rubber bushes on the front suspension arms and anti-roll bar links. Check the rear beam area for rust ...

  3. Brake caliper seizure

    Safety and MOT risk A5A

    MOT data shows the Suzuki Splash fails at 15.9 times the national fleet average for brake binding, indicating seized or partially seized brake calipers. This typically affects the rear brakes first, where single-piston sliding calipers are prone to seizing on their guide pins due to corrosion or lack of lubrication. The problem can develop gradually, causing increased fuel consumption and brake pad wear before becoming severe enough to fail an MOT test.

    What to check: Check all wheels for excessive brake dust or heat discoloration on the brake discs - this indicates a binding brake. Spin each wheel by hand (with the car jacked up and wheel removed) - they should turn freely with minimal resistance. Look for uneven brake pad wear through the wheel spokes where ...

  4. Spring fracture

    Wear item A5A

    The Suzuki Splash shows a 13.6 times higher rate of spring fracture compared to the national fleet average, with failures occurring from relatively low mileages. This typically affects the front coil springs first, where corrosion at the lower coils or stress concentration points cause the spring to crack and eventually break. A broken spring immediately affects handling and safety, and can cause tyre damage or loss of vehicle control.

    What to check: Look at the car from each side - it should sit level with equal ride height front and rear. One corner sitting noticeably lower indicates a broken spring. Examine the coil springs through the wheel wells for any visible cracks, breaks, or separated coils. Check for rust or corrosion on the spring...

  5. Shock absorber failure

    Wear item A5A

    The Suzuki Splash experiences shock absorber failure at 12.8 times the national fleet average, with the problem typically manifesting as oil leakage from the damper body or complete loss of damping capability. The rear shocks are particularly prone to failure, often showing signs of oil weepage before complete failure. While not immediately dangerous, failed shock absorbers significantly compromise handling and braking performance.

    What to check: Examine each shock absorber for oil stains or wetness on the damper body - this indicates internal seal failure. Push down firmly on each corner of the car and release - it should return to normal height with one bounce only. Multiple bounces indicate worn dampers. Check the shock absorber mounti...

What Splashs cost at dealers now

From 11 used Splashs we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£3,770
Typical mileage
51,672 miles
Price change vs last month
-31%

Splash MOT results

21.7%

of Splash MOT tests end in a fail, from 73,186 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Anti-roll bar links wornSuspension
  2. Suspension pin, bush or joint wornSuspension
  3. Suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing wornSuspension

Check the Splash you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Splash questions

Is the Suzuki Splash reliable?

21.7% of Splash models fail their MOT based on 73,186 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being brake pipe corrosion and failure. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Suzuki Splash?

The most serious known issues are brake pipe corrosion and failure, suspension bush and joint wear, brake caliper seizure. Our car check flags whether a specific Splash has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Suzuki Splash has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Suzuki Splash has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Splash has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Suzuki Splash for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Suzuki Splash HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Splash faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Suzuki Splash fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Splash is anti-roll bar links worn. 21.7% of Splash models fail overall, based on 73,186 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Splash

Other Suzuki car checks

Suzuki Alto25.1% MOT failure rate Suzuki Baleno20.5% MOT failure rate Suzuki Carry27.5% MOT failure rate Suzuki Celerio12.5% MOT failure rate Suzuki Grand Vitara22.6% MOT failure rate Suzuki Ignis23% MOT failure rate

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.