2012 Suzuki Splash 1.2L Petrol · LR12 XVW

A pattern of recurring suspension and brake component wear defines the roadworthiness history of this 2012 Suzuki Splash, with the most recent test on 13 February 2026 returning a pass only after a fail the day before for an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. This is the second major failure recorded across the MOT history visible here, the first being in February 2025 when the offside rear service brake was found to be excessively binding. Advisories across the four tests on file consistently reference front lower suspension arm components, including rear wishbone bushes and an anti-roll bar ball joint showing slight movement, which points to ongoing deterioration of the front suspension linkage rather than isolated wear. Brake-related advisories are equally persistent, with corrosion noted on the offside front brake pipe, binding noted on the offside rear service brake across two consecutive years, and front brake discs and pads both flagged as wearing in the 2024 test. With 78,312 miles recorded over roughly fourteen years, this Suzuki has covered an average of approximately 5,594 miles annually, which is below typical mileage for a city car of this age and could indicate periods of light use or extended standing between journeys. While low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components, it does not prevent the corrosion and dry-joint deterioration that has actually appeared in the MOT record, and standing periods can accelerate rubber perishing, brake corrosion, and moisture-related degradation of hydraulic components. There are no significant gaps in the annual testing pattern visible in the data, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use and on the road throughout the period covered. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension should be the primary focus of any physical inspection and test drive. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end, particularly over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and when turning at low speed, and feel for imprecise steering response or vibration through the wheel that could indicate worn ball joints or wishbone bushes. The near-side front anti-roll bar ball joint and the off-side lower arm ball joint are the specific components that have been flagged, so pay close attention to any looseness when the steering is loaded, such as during tight manoeuvres or sudden lane changes. On the test drive, the offside rear brake binding issue warrants checking for any pulling to one side under braking, a hot smell from the offside rear wheel after a journey, or uneven brake pedal feel, as binding calipers often worsen progressively rather than appearing as a sudden fault. The brake pipe advisory recorded in 2025 should not be dismissed as cosmetic. Corrosion on a brake line, even when coated in grease or another substance, can mask underlying metal loss, and any visible rust, pitting, or damp staining along the offside front brake line should prompt a close visual inspection of the full brake pipe run, particularly at flex-line junctions and mounting clips. The offside rear shock absorber light oil misting noted in 2025 is generally consistent with a unit approaching the end of its service life, so check for any streaking down the shock body and listen for top-mount clonks over undulating surfaces. The nearside rear tyre perishing advisory also warrants a close look at the sidewalls for any cracking, and a general inspection of all four tyres for age-related rubber deterioration is advisable given the relatively low annual mileage, as tyres degrade by calendar age as well as by use.