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Suzuki GN400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GN400 car check

Is the Suzuki GN400 reliable? We analysed 654 real MOT tests across 131 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 654 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.5%
Typical Mileage
21,957mi
Annual Mileage
258mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
45yrs

The Suzuki GN400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GN400.

Suzuki GN400 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GN400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GN400 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GN400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.5%
1982
83.5%
1981

Suzuki GN400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GN400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 13
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 12
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 9
Horn not working 7
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 6
Headlamp aim too low 6
Direction indicators not working 6
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 5
Direction indicators affected by the operation of another lamp 5
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4

Suzuki GN400 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GN400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
80 mi/yr
Typical
258 mi/yr
Average
770 mi/yr
Heavy usage
810 mi/yr

Suzuki GN400 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GN400 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1982 417 82.5% 9,984 21,957 31,220
1981 127 83.5% 14,269 22,169 30,887

How Long Does a Suzuki GN400 Last?

Based on 131 Suzuki GN400 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
30.6 years
Median
32.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
45 years

Suzuki GN400 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GN400 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
21,957 mi
75th Percentile
31,892 mi
95th Percentile
45,811 mi
Max Recorded
300,098 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GN400

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1981

83.5% MOT pass rate from 127 tests

Year to avoid
1982

82.5% MOT pass rate from 417 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GN400 is 1981, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.5% across 127 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GN400 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GN400 THIS CAR 81.5% 654 21,957 mi 45 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
Mercedes-benz E300AMGLN Nt ED Prm+d MHEV4M A 80.9% 472 25,942 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GN400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki GN400 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.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki GN400?

The Suzuki GN400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.5% across 654 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 GN400 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (13 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (12), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (9). 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 GN400 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 GN400 models stay on UK roads for around 45 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.

Suzuki GN400 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GN400 reliable?
Based on 654 MOT tests, the Suzuki GN400 has a 81.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GN400?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GN400 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GN400 does around 258 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GN400 last?
Most Suzuki GN400 models stay on UK roads for around 45 years based on our analysis of 131 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GN400?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Suzuki GN400?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GN400 is 1981 with a 83.5% pass rate across 127 tests.