Suzuki Splash I (EX) (2008 – 2015)

Reliability score : 8.6/10

The Suzuki Splash (Generation I - Type EX) is a high-roof mini-city car (microspace) developed in partnership with General Motors. It is the technical twin of the Opel Agila B. Mainly produced at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary for the European market, it was also marketed in India and Southeast Asia as the Maruti Suzuki Ritz. Designed to maximize interior space on a small footprint (3.71 m), it benefited from a slight facelift in 2012 (new bumpers, enlarged grille). Overall, it is an extremely rational, economical vehicle renowned for the great robustness of its Japanese-origin gasoline engines.

✅ Strengths

Exemplary reliability of gasoline engines (K10B and K12B blocks)
Generous front headroom and legroom
Slightly elevated driving position
Maneuverability in the city (short turning radius)
Very low maintenance and insurance costs
Timing chain on all engines

⚠️ Weaknesses

Ridiculous boot volume (178 liters, expandable to 1050 liters with seats folded)
Imperfect sound insulation on the highway (wind and road noise)
Hard interior plastics prone to scratches
Quite firm rear suspension comfort
Diesel engine (DDiS) unsuitable for the vehicle's urban purpose

🎯 Verdict

The Suzuki Splash is an excellent used car choice for anyone looking for a reliable, economical, and spacious city car in the front. The gasoline engines (1.0 and 1.2) are absolutely to be preferred: they are almost indestructible if basic maintenance is respected. The 1.2 engine (86 or 94 hp) offers the best compromise for leaving cities without straining. However, the 1.3 DDiS diesel engine is to be avoided unless you drive exclusively on the open road, as it suffers from the classic ailments of modern diesels used in urban environments (DPF, EGR, fragile chain).

Common issues

Usure prématurée des composants de suspension (silentblocs, biellettes de barre stabilisatrice) Medium

🔧 80 000 – 150 000 km

💶 200 – 500 € (par essieu)

Vérifier le jeu dans la direction et les bruits de claquement sur routes dégradées.

Corrosion et fuites du système d'échappement (notamment le silencieux arrière) Low

🔧 100 000 – 180 000 km

💶 150 – 350 €

Écouter les bruits d'échappement anormaux et inspecter visuellement la ligne.

Défaillance des bobines d'allumage Medium

🔧 90 000 – 160 000 km

💶 100 – 250 € (par bobine, hors diagnostic)

Attention aux à-coups moteur, perte de puissance ou voyant moteur allumé.

Usure de l'embrayage (sur modèles à boîte manuelle) Medium

🔧 80 000 – 140 000 km

💶 800 – 1 500 €

Tester le point de patinage et l'absence de bruits ou de glissement.

Estimated maintenance costs

Oil change	£70 – 130
Timing chain	£650 – 1 300 (si remplacement nécessaire, rare)
Clutch	£650 – 1 250
Complete brakes	£220 – 480
Estimated annual budget	£450 – 900

Indicative estimates (independent garage, UK market). Prices vary by region and year.