2014 Suzuki Splash 1.0L Petrol · WJ14 XRM

A twelve-year-old Suzuki Splash presenting five consecutive MOT passes with no advisories, defects, or failures recorded is an exceptionally tidy roadworthiness profile for a small supermini in this age bracket. The current certificate was issued on 12 March 2026 with the previous four tests also returning clean results, indicating that wear-sensitive items such as tyres, brakes, suspension components, lighting, and exhaust integrity have all remained within prescribed limits at every annual check. There is no history of structural corrosion advisories, no recorded brake pipe or binding caliper concerns, no steering or suspension component wear flagged, and no emissions-related defects, which together suggest the vehicle has not suffered the kind of progressive mechanical decline typical of cars reaching the end of their first decade. The absence of any advisory entries across a five-year testing window is the strongest single indicator of mechanical consistency the MOT system can offer. Against the backdrop of twelve model years and only 31,954 recorded miles, the usage profile works out to roughly 2,660 miles annually, placing this Splash firmly in low-mileage territory. This figure can imply two very different mechanical realities: either genuinely light, regular use that has preserved consumables, or extended periods of standing followed by short bursts of activity. Either scenario reduces wear on high-mileage components such as clutch friction material, gearbox synchros, and engine internal components, but a low average can also accelerate deterioration of items that suffer from disuse, including brake discs corroding on their faces, suspension bushes hardening or developing flat spots from static loading, and underbody steel components exposed to moisture without the regular drying effect of warm running. There are no gaps in the MOT record spanning multiple years, so there is no evidence of a long-term lay-up, which is reassuring from a corrosion and deterioration standpoint. For a prospective buyer, the lack of flagged components means the test-drive checklist must be built around the items that low-mileage, older vehicles most commonly hide. On the road, listen for any clonks, knocks, or creaks from the front suspension over speed humps and rough tarmac, as the front lower arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and stabiliser bushes on a Splash of this age can deteriorate quietly between tests. Pay close attention to brake pedal feel and response: a low-mileage car that has seen light use may have developed light corrosion on the brake disc surfaces, producing a distinct judder through the steering wheel or brake pedal under the first firm application from speed. Also check for any pulling to one side under steady braking, which can indicate a binding caliper that has not been exercised sufficiently. Steering should remain light and consistent without any vagueness around the straight-ahead, knocking on full lock, or any warning lights remaining illuminated on the dash after start-up. Finally, while the MOT record is unblemished, it is worth carrying out a few physical checks before purchase that the test station would not necessarily flag. Inspect the underbody, sill edges, and rear wheel arches for any bubbling or surface corrosion, particularly given that Splash models of this generation are known to develop rust in the lower rear quarter panels and around the spare wheel well. Confirm that the coolant, brake fluid, and engine oil are at correct levels and in clean condition, and look for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover or rocker cover gasket, which is a common seep point on small Suzuki engines. Verify that all tyres are of matching type and have reasonable tread remaining, and check the exhaust from cold start for any rattles, blowing sounds, or excessive smoke. With the clean MOT history as a starting point, these additional physical and dynamic checks will confirm whether the vehicle's apparent roadworthiness extends beneath the surface.