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Suzuki GS250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GS250 car check

Is the Suzuki GS250 reliable? We analysed 1,187 real MOT tests across 248 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,187 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.9%
Typical Mileage
25,258mi
Annual Mileage
313mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
46yrs

The Suzuki GS250 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS250.

Suzuki GS250 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GS250 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GS250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80%
1984
72.5%
1983
85.7%
1982
79%
1981
77.9%
1980

Suzuki GS250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GS250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 28
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 18
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 14
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 13
Drive chain excessively loose 11
Drive chain worn to excess 11
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 10
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 10
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 10
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 9

Suzuki GS250 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
87 mi/yr
Typical
313 mi/yr
Average
836 mi/yr
Heavy usage
996 mi/yr

Suzuki GS250 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS250 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1984 85 80.0% 20,683 29,977 33,814
1983 120 72.5% 14,271 25,771 35,660
1982 84 85.7% 12,458 27,327 40,936
1981 495 79.0% 14,651 20,908 32,215
1980 298 77.9% 20,413 29,401 36,663

How Long Does a Suzuki GS250 Last?

Based on 248 Suzuki GS250 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
30.6 years
Median
30.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
46 years

Suzuki GS250 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS250 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
25,258 mi
75th Percentile
35,190 mi
95th Percentile
53,541 mi
Max Recorded
397,944 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GS250

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

Best year
1982

85.7% MOT pass rate from 84 tests

Year to avoid
1983

72.5% MOT pass rate from 120 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS250 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.7% across 84 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GS250 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GS250 THIS CAR 78.9% 1,187 25,258 mi 46 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
Mitsubishi L200 Warrior LWB 67.1% 598 137,883 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki GS250 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 GS250?

The Suzuki GS250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.9% across 1,187 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 GS250 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (28 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (18), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (14). 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 GS250 owner drives around 313 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 GS250 models stay on UK roads for around 46 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 GS250 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GS250 reliable?
Based on 1,187 MOT tests, the Suzuki GS250 has a 78.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GS250?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GS250 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GS250 does around 313 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GS250 last?
Most Suzuki GS250 models stay on UK roads for around 46 years based on our analysis of 248 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GS250?
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 GS250?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GS250 is 1982 with a 85.7% pass rate across 84 tests.