How much does a 1996 SUZUKI BALENO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 SUZUKI BALENO?

The 1996 SUZUKI BALENO has a 78% MOT pass rate based on 36 tests in 2026. This ranks 110 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year SUZUKI BALENO is most reliable?

The 2019 SUZUKI BALENO has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 64%.

SUZUKI BALENO (1996)

Q: Is the 1996 SUZUKI BALENO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of SUZUKI BALENOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 36 tests. That's 4 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 SUZUKI BALENO?

The average mileage for a 1996 SUZUKI BALENO is 77,579 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 36 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1957/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1590cc30 years old36 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1590cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1590cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,957

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUZUKI brand average of 82%.

At 30 years old, 78% of SUZUKI BALENOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 36 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 77,579 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars110th of 252(top 44%)

Rank among SUZUKI models185th of 310(top 60%)

vs national average-4%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average+3%(75% avg)

vs SUZUKI average-4%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

77,579

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 SUZUKI BALENO has 77,579 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 64%. The 1996 sits between the two at 78%.

SUZUKI BALENO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	89%	1,621	31,218 mi
2018	83%	2,343	40,260 mi
2017	80%	3,654	48,527 mi
2016	80%	3,075	53,671 mi
2001	74%	31	87,814 mi
2000	76%	38	82,431 mi
1999	64%	88	70,439 mi
1998	73%	52	77,439 mi
1997	76%	46	71,114 mi
1996	78%	36	77,579 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

75%

-3%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+1%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

-3%

NISSAN MICRA

1998 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,922/year

69%

-9%

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About the 1996 SUZUKI BALENO

The 1996 SUZUKI BALENO is a small family car with a 1590cc petrol engine. 36 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 77,579 miles at 30 years old, SUZUKI BALENO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1996 SUZUKI BALENO Fuel Costs

The 1590cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 SUZUKI BALENO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SUZUKI BALENO Reliability Trend

Newer SUZUKI BALENOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 SUZUKI BALENO

At 30 years old, the SUZUKI BALENO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 36 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 SUZUKI BALENO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1996 SUZUKI BALENO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SUZUKI BALENO(1996)	78%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1957
MAZDA MX-5(1998)	75%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£130
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£60
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£60
NISSAN MICRA(1998)	69%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1922-£35

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.