2008 Suzuki Splash 1.2L Petrol · YR08 TZK

The 2008 Suzuki Splash currently holds a valid MOT issued on 23 February 2026 at 95,097 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than reassuring. The most recent pass came just six days after a failure on 17 February 2026 at 95,082 miles, where the tester flagged a major rear exhaust leak preventing an emissions reading, a corroded offside front brake pipe, and underside corrosion. That same brake pipe advisory carried forward into the pass, meaning the corrosion was noted but not deemed severe enough to fail again. A fractured offside front coil spring and excessively worn lower arm rear bush caused the February 2025 failure at 91,787 miles, yet by the February 2025 pass at 91,798 miles the bush had dropped to a minor advisory, suggesting a repair was carried out between those two tests. The record shows a pattern of reactive fixes rather than consistent preventative upkeep. The mileage profile is notably low for an eighteen-year-old vehicle. Between the February 2024 pass at 89,327 miles and the February 2026 tests at 95,082 to 95,097 miles, the car covered roughly 5,770 miles in two years, averaging under 3,000 miles annually. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests shows about 2,460 miles of use, and the 2025 to 2026 interval accounts for just 3,299 miles. This is well below the typical annual figure of around 8,000 to 12,000 miles for a vehicle of this age. Low mileage can preserve mechanical components, but prolonged standing periods often accelerate corrosion of brake lines, exhaust systems, and suspension rubber, which is precisely what the record reveals. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the underside, where corrosion has appeared as an advisory in both the 2026 tests. The offside front brake pipe was specifically called out as corroded and contaminated with grease or other material, indicating the pipe may have been cleaned rather than replaced. Request a close look at all brake lines, especially where they route along the subframe and inner wings. The exhaust system also warrants attention, given the major rear box leak recorded in February 2026. Check the rear silencer and joints for fresh welding or clamps that suggest a temporary repair. Suspension components deserve scrutiny as well. The fractured coil spring and worn lower arm rear bush from early 2025 were apparently addressed, but the nearside front suspension arm bush reappeared as a minor advisory in the February 2025 pass, and both rear brake hose ferrules showed slight corrosion. Have a garage inspect all suspension bushes, the condition of the replacement spring, and whether the rear brake hoses and ferrules have been renewed. The repeated rear tyre cracking advisories across both 2025 tests suggest the spare wheel well and rear arches should be checked for water ingress or perishing rubber.