2014 Suzuki Splash 1.0L Petrol · SN14 XRA

A notably clean DVSA record defines this 2014 Suzuki Splash, with four out of five tests resulting in a pass and no advisories or defects recorded against any component. The most recent assessment on 26 February 2026 recorded a pass and no defects recorded, continuing a stable pattern of roadworthiness, and the two failures recorded in February 2025 and March 2024 are listed without any defect entries, suggesting they were likely administrative or registration-related retests rather than mechanical refusals. The absence of any advisories relating to corrosion, suspension components, brake wear, exhaust integrity, or lighting across the entire history indicates the vehicle has not yet developed the chronic deterioration typically expected of a 12-year-old supermini exposed to British winter road conditions. Mechanically, this points to either a particularly lightly used example or one that has received attentive component-level maintenance ahead of each annual test. With 35,682 miles recorded over roughly 12 years, annual mileage averages around 2,974 miles, which is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age and substantially below the typical 6,000 to 8,000 miles per year expected of a city-focused hatchback. While low mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch, engine internals, and gearbox synchros, it raises specific concerns for a prospective buyer. Prolonged periods of standing are known to accelerate ageing of certain components through lack of circulating fluids and mechanical movement, particularly rubber seals, suspension bushes, brake caliper slide pins, and battery condition. The test gaps between March 2024 and February 2025, and between February 2025 and February 2026, each span approximately one year, which is consistent with normal annual scheduling rather than any extended off-road period, though the very low annual mileage implies significant standing time between uses regardless. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority on inspection is to verify the integrity of components that suffer disproportionately from low use. Brake calipers on a low-mileage Splash are prone to seizing due to corroded slide pins and pistons, so a firm test-drive check should include several moderate-speed stops from around 30 mph to confirm the vehicle pulls up squarely without pulling to either side and without any grinding or pulsing through the pedal. The handbrake should hold firmly on a moderate incline, as a seized rear mechanism is common on rarely-driven cars. The clutch should be tested in first and reverse gear under load on a slight incline to confirm smooth engagement without slipping or juddering, and the steering should be turned lock-to-lock while stationary to listen for any clonking from the front suspension, which would indicate worn strut top mounts or drop links. Given the lack of any corrosion advisories in the MOT history, a close visual inspection of the structural areas remains worthwhile, particularly the wheel arches, sills, underbody seams, and subframe mounting points, as Splash models of this generation can develop surface rust in these areas even when not formally flagged. On the test drive, listen for any knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which could signal worn anti-roll bar bushes or bottom arm bushes that have hardened and cracked through age rather than mileage. Check for any blue smoke from the exhaust on startup, as dried valve stem seals on a low-use engine can cause brief oil burning when the car is first driven after standing. Finally, confirm the cooling system is functioning correctly by allowing the engine to reach full operating temperature and ensuring the heater delivers consistent hot air, as perished hoses and a tired thermostat are typical age-related issues on a vehicle where annual mileage has been minimal.