The tall city car that's bigger inside than out
The Suzuki Splash is a practical, no-nonsense tall-body city car that was sold from 2008 to 2014, sharing its platform with the Vauxhall Agila. It targets budget-conscious buyers who need maximum interior space from a small footprint. It's a sensible, unglamorous choice that prioritises practicality and low running costs over style.
We track 5 known issues across the Suzuki Splash range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Suzuki Splash? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
A5A (2008–2015) — Petrol options included the 1.0 K10B, 1.2 K12B, with 1.3 DDiS on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion and failure (£150–£350 to address).
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.
Complete brake pipe failure results in total loss of braking ability and is immediately dangerous. Even partial failure significantly reduces braking effectiveness and can cause the car to pull violently to one side under braking. Replacement typically requires multiple sections of brake pipe and professional fitting with system bleeding.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and can lead to MOT failure. Severely worn bushes can allow suspension components to move excessively, compromising safety and steering control. Multiple bush replacement is often required due to the interconnected nature of suspension geometry.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
Seized brake calipers cause rapid brake pad and disc wear, increased fuel consumption, and can lead to brake fade or complete brake failure if the caliper seizes completely. The affected wheel becomes extremely hot and can damage wheel bearings or cause tyre damage. Professional repair requires caliper removal, cleaning, and lubrication or complete replacement.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
A broken spring causes immediate handling problems, uneven tyre wear, and can damage other suspension components. The affected corner of the car sits lower and can cause the tyre to rub against the wheel arch under load. Driving with a broken spring is dangerous as it compromises stability and steering control, particularly during cornering or emergency manoeuvres.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
Failed shock absorbers cause poor handling, increased braking distances, and accelerated tyre wear. The car becomes unstable in crosswinds and during emergency manoeuvres. While the car remains driveable, safety is compromised particularly in wet conditions where the reduced tyre contact can cause aquaplaning.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Suzuki Splash common problems page.
Based on 97k real DVSA MOT tests, the Suzuki Splash fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is suspension pin, bush or joint worn at 37x the fleet average, followed by anti-roll bar links worn (26x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Suzuki Splash MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £45–£70 at an independent garage.
See the full Suzuki Splash service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Suzuki Splash has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2012-2014 models are the best picks, with the 2014 achieving the highest MOT pass rate at 81%. Later cars benefited from incremental improvements and are less likely to have corrosion issues. Avoid 2008 models which have the lowest pass rate at 69%.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Suzuki Splash, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Suzuki Splash issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.