Timing chain tensioner rattle
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle on start
Fix: Replace tensioner / chain
€300–700
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Suzuki Baleno
2016–2020
2
engines covered
5
known faults
6,644
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Suzuki Baleno was built from 2016 to 2020.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 5 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Clutch wear: it usually appears at 120,000–200,000 km and costs €500–900 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (10.6 %), suspension (10.5 %), tyres and wheels (6.5 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-20 · API SL/SN · ~3.8 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.0 / 1.4 Boosterjet | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 / 5W-30 · API SN · ~3.1 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series)
Valve clearance (shims)
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Ticking; check more often on LPG
Fix: Adjust clearances
€150–350
1.0 / 1.4 Boosterjet
Turbo wastegate rattle
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle at idle
Fix: Adjust or replace actuator
€200–600
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 6,644 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.8 % | 5.9 % | 9.2 % |
| Suspension | 6.7 % | 10.5 % | 14.0 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.4 % | 0.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 2.9 % | 6.5 % | 10.0 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 7.9 % | 10.6 % | 15.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.3 % | 0.3 % | 0.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.2 % | 0.2 % | 0.6 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 3,589 cars.
| age (years) | 6–8 | 9–11 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.8 % | 2.7 % |
| Suspension | 16.5 % | 17.2 % |
| Steering | 0.4 % | 0.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 11.6 % | 14.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 12.5 % | 18.1 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.0 % | 0.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.1 % | 0.1 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 57,399, of which 222 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series)1.2 (1,242 cm³) · 66 kW (90 hp) · Petrol | 75.9 % | 2016–2020 | 114 g/km | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series)1.0 (998 cm³) · 82 kW (111 hp) · Petrol | 15.2 % | 2016–2020 | 123 g/km | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series)1.2 (1,242 cm³) · 66 kW (90 hp) · Hybrid | 4.1 % | 2019–2020 | 116 g/km | — |
| 1.2 Petrol1.2 (1,242 cm³) · 99 kW (135 hp) · Petrol | 3.1 % | 2017–2017 | 98 g/km | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (3). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Some vehicles have an inappropriate design and material on check valve of vacuum pump01/12/2022 · R/2022/267
- Lights Integrated starter generator belt belt may fail26/03/2018 · R/2018/078
- Suspension / axles Battery may fail to charge which could cause engine to stall and lights to fade13/03/2018 · R/2018/071
Common questions
Does the Suzuki Baleno have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.6 VVT (Suzuki K / M-series): chain; 1.0 / 1.4 Boosterjet: chain.
What are the known problems with the Suzuki Baleno?
The faults with the highest risk: clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Suzuki Baleno most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (10.6 %), suspension (10.5 %), tyres and wheels (6.5 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility.
What should you check when buying a used Suzuki Baleno?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (3 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: slipping, high bite point. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Suzuki Vitara 2015–Suzuki Swift IV 2010–2017Suzuki Swift V 2017–2024Suzuki Jimny (1998–2018) 1998–2018Suzuki Ignis 2016–Suzuki Celerio 2014–2020Suzuki S-Cross 2013–Suzuki Jimny (2018+) 2018–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026