2018 Suzuki Baleno 1.0L Petrol · HB02 LAB

The Suzuki Baleno achieved a clean MOT pass on 16 February 2026 at 37,416 miles with no defects recorded, and the previous test on 3 July 2025 also returned a pass with no issues. The maintenance trend is clearly stable and improving; the only defect on record—a severely deteriorated front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover on both sides flagged in July 2024—did not reappear as an advisory or failure in subsequent tests, indicating it was addressed. The vehicle has maintained consecutive passes over nearly four years without recurring mechanical faults, which is a positive indicator of ongoing roadworthiness. At approximately 8 years old with 37,416 miles on the odometer, this Baleno has covered just 4,677 miles per year on average—a very low usage pattern for its age. The mileage progression reveals an unusual spike between July 2025 and February 2026, adding roughly 9,915 miles in about seven months, which is substantially higher than the preceding annual averages of 675 miles and 2,969 miles. This accelerated use after years of minimal driving suggests the vehicle may have been pressed into more regular service relatively recently. The five-month gap between the most recent MOT and today shows no recorded mileage increase, implying the car has been standing idle since February. Despite the clean recent record, the July 2024 suspension arm ball joint dust cover deterioration on both sides warrants a careful in-person inspection. Even though the component passed the following year, rubber dust covers degrade over time and can allow moisture and grit to contaminate the ball joint socket, potentially accelerating wear on the steering and suspension linkage. A qualified mechanic should check for play in the front lower arms, inspect the ball joint boots for cracking or splitting, and assess the overall condition of the front suspension geometry. Additionally, given the low annual mileage and extended periods of standing, the buyer should examine rubber components throughout the chassis—boot gaiters, suspension bushes, and brake flexible hoses—for signs of age-related cracking or deterioration that may not have triggered a failure during the limited MOT inspection window.