2008 Suzuki Splash 1.2L Petrol · PE58 HCV

The 2008 Suzuki Splash presents a mixed maintenance picture. It passed its most recent MOT on 14 August 2025 at 33,068 miles, but the advisory list reveals a pattern of deferred upkeep rather than proactive servicing. Four tyres were noted as perished or cracking, multiple brake pipes were flagged as corroded, and corrosion advisories appeared on the rear inner body structure and an offside front suspension arm. The tester did not identify any dangerous failures at this visit, yet the sheer volume of advisories suggests the car has spent extended periods sitting idle with minimal attention to consumables or underbody protection. This is not a worsening trend so much as a stable one characterised by neglect of basic wear items. The recorded mileage of 33,068 miles over approximately eighteen years equates to roughly 1,837 miles per year, which is exceptionally low. The MOT history shows a notable gap between July 2023 at 26,954 miles and July 2024 at 32,818 miles, representing an accumulation of 5,864 miles in a single year after what appears to have been very light use previously. The mileage then plateaued, with only 250 miles added between the July 2024 test and the August 2025 test. This pattern points to long periods of dormancy followed by brief bursts of use, which is precisely the kind of ownership cycle that accelerates rubber perishing, brake pipe corrosion, and structural rust formation. A buyer should treat the corrosion advisories with particular seriousness. The 2025 test flagged corrosion on both rear inner sills and the offside front suspension arm, and while the tester judged structural rigidity not significantly reduced at the time, these are load-bearing areas that demand close physical inspection. Surface corrosion on a car of this age and mileage is not unusual, but the combination of corroded brake pipes and corroded suspension components raises the question of whether the underbody has been consistently exposed to moisture without adequate protection. Any inspection should include a thorough check of the rear subframe mounting points, sill seams, and the condition of all three brake pipes that were flagged as corroded and obscured by grease or contamination. The suspension history also warrants scrutiny. The July 2024 failure identified a worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint and deteriorated rear inner bushes on both front arms, yet the subsequent August 2025 pass suggests these items were replaced. The recurring advisory on the nearside front suspension arm bush across multiple tests, however, indicates this area has been a persistent weak point. Tyre condition has been flagged at three consecutive tests, with perishing and cracking appearing repeatedly despite replacements being a straightforward and inexpensive task. This pattern implies the previous owner was not maintaining even basic consumable items on a regular cycle. A prospective buyer should verify the condition of the current tyres, test the suspension for play over uneven surfaces, and have a workshop inspect the brake pipe corrosion and structural rust before committing to purchase.