Suzuki CL50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki CL50 car check
Is the Suzuki CL50 reliable? We analysed 396 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki CL50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki CL50 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake lever has inadequate reserve travel, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki CL50.
Suzuki CL50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki CL50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki CL50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki CL50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki CL50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki CL50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki CL50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki CL50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki CL50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki CL50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 66 | 77.3% | 5,484 | 6,438 | 8,218 |
| 1985 | 69 | 84.1% | 1,179 | 4,044 | 5,020 |
| 1984 | 112 | 73.2% | 3,438 | 5,742 | 6,865 |
| 1983 | 114 | 79.8% | 2,920 | 4,384 | 4,892 |
How Long Does a Suzuki CL50 Last?
Based on 103 Suzuki CL50 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki CL50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki CL50 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki CL50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.1% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
73.2% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki CL50 is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.1% across 69 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki CL50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki CL50 THIS CAR | 77.5% | 396 | 4,672 mi | 43 yrs |
| Suzuki Swift | 76.1% | 2,247,517 | 51,601 mi | 31 yrs |
| Suzuki Alto | 74% | 1,154,186 | 41,167 mi | 28 yrs |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 76.2% | 1,025,634 | 67,542 mi | 28 yrs |
| Ford Galaxy Zetec TDI | 67.9% | 548 | 151,186 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki CL50 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki CL50 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Suzuki CL50Should you buy a used Suzuki CL50?
The Suzuki CL50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.5% across 396 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Suzuki CL50 are brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (10 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (9), and tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Suzuki CL50 owner drives around 258 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Suzuki CL50 models stay on UK roads for around 43 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.