2009 Suzuki Splash 1.2L Petrol · FV59 FLE

A recurring thread across this Suzuki Splash's recent MOT history is wear in the front suspension linkage, specifically the offside front inner suspension arm pin or bush, which was first noted as an advisory in November 2023 and then flagged again at the most recent test on 24 November 2025. Persistent advisories on the same component over successive tests typically indicate progressive wear rather than a transient issue, and on a vehicle of this age with rubber-and-metal pivot bushes, two appearances in three years suggest the part is approaching the point where it will be recorded as a failure. Layered onto this are other recorded suspension and braking concerns: a nearside front shock absorber top bush was noted with slight play in 2022, and an offside rear service brake was recorded as excessively binding on the same 2022 visit, a Major failure that was subsequently cleared on a retest. The most recent pass on 24 November 2025 was unaccompanied by any new advisories beyond the familiar suspension arm entry, indicating a record that is not deteriorating sharply but is clearly not free of recurring mechanical notes. Against a seventeen-year platform life, the recorded mileage of 28,247 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 1,662 miles, which is substantially below typical usage for a city-focused hatchback of this era. The MOT records run in largely consecutive years from 2021 through 2025, which is consistent with regular, if light, use and rules out any prolonged off-road period within the documented test history. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on high-cycle consumables such as clutches, brake friction material and internal engine components, but it can also accelerate ageing of rubber components including bushes, dampers, drive belts and tyres, through prolonged static exposure and reduced thermal cycling. The advisory for a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge in 2023 is therefore a useful prompt to inspect the remaining four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking as well as uneven wear patterns, particularly given the low-mileage profile. For a prospective buyer, the priority items to interrogate on a physical inspection are the front suspension components that have been repeatedly flagged. With the vehicle raised or on a ramp, the offside front inner suspension arm pin or bush should be physically checked for movement; the tester's recorded wording suggests the wear is borderline, and any progression since November 2025 could now exceed the advisory threshold. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces and speed humps, and feel for any vagueness or delay in the steering returning to centre, both of which can indicate worn linkage bushes. The nearside front shock absorber top mount, noted in 2022, should similarly be checked for play by hand and for any noise transmitted through the body on compression, while the offside rear brake that was recorded as binding in 2022 warrants confirmation that the caliper slider pins and handbrake mechanism are now free, as binding can recur if the caliper has not been properly overhauled. It is also worth verifying that the central rear seat belt stalk, which was recorded as missing and caused a Major failure in 2023, has been correctly refitted with the stalk present and the belt operating as intended. The 2024 wiper failure was a relatively straightforward rectification item, but it is worth confirming during a pre-purchase inspection that the wiper linkage and motor are functioning smoothly across the full swept area, as a recurring issue here would suggest a worn mechanism rather than a one-off blade problem. The traction control light flashing advisory from 2023 should also be discussed with the seller, as this can indicate an intermittent fault with a wheel speed sensor, ABS ring or related wiring, and a diagnostic read-out would be prudent to confirm there are no stored fault codes. Given the pattern of advisories rather than failures in the most recent record, the vehicle presents as roadworthy at the point of last test, but the buyer should treat the repeated front suspension advisory as a near-term budget item and budget for replacement of the affected arm or bush within the next service interval.