2019 Suzuki Baleno 1.2L Petrol · WL19 KFD

The 2019 Suzuki Baleno currently fails its MOT and presents a worsening maintenance trend. The most recent test on 12 June 2026 at 88,043 miles recorded two suspension-related failures: an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush and a severely deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover. Both are prescribed defects under Section 5.3.4, meaning the vehicle was deemed unroadworthy on the day of test. A clean pass in June 2024 at 57,395 miles makes this recent failure notable. The car has moved from a defect-free state to a failed one within two years, suggesting suspension components have degraded significantly or that wear has accelerated. The mileage accumulation is high for a seven-year-old vehicle. Between 21 June 2022 at 27,426 miles and 3 June 2025 at 72,017 miles, the car covered roughly 44,591 miles in under three years, averaging over 14,800 miles annually during that window. The jump from 72,017 miles in June 2025 to 88,043 miles in June 2026 adds another 16,026 miles in roughly twelve months. This sustained high annual mileage places above-average stress on suspension bushes, ball joints, brake discs, and drivetrain components. The pattern is consistent with prolonged motorway or high-load use rather than light urban running. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering geometry. The failed nearside front suspension arm bush and compromised offside ball joint dust cover point to degraded or contaminated joints. Excessive play in the front suspension arm bushes can cause vague steering, uneven tyre wear, and knocks over uneven surfaces. The ball joint dust cover deterioration allows ingress of water and grit, accelerating joint wear and risking separation under load. Both front tyres showed inner edge wear in the June 2025 test at 72,017 miles, which typically indicates toe misalignment or worn suspension bushes allowing dynamic geometry shift. A four-wheel alignment check and close inspection of all front suspension bushes, ball joints, and track rod ends is essential. The June 2025 advisory on both front brake discs being worn, pitted or scored, though not seriously weakened at that time, warrants further scrutiny at the current 88,043-mile mark. High-mileage use accelerates disc and pad wear, and pitting can compromise braking efficiency and increase stopping distances under heavy braking. Inspect disc thickness, lip formation, and pad remaining life. The repeated appearance of tyre wear advisories across multiple tests suggests either alignment drift or a pattern of deferred consumable replacement. Any buyer should verify tyre condition, tread depth, and date codes, and confirm whether the recent suspension failures have been rectified before the vehicle is returned to the road.