Suzuki GS400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki GS400 car check
Is the Suzuki GS400 reliable? We analysed 475 real MOT tests across 106 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki GS400? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki GS400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS400.
Suzuki GS400 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki GS400 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki GS400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki GS400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki GS400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki GS400 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki GS400 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS400 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 50 | 78.0% | 11,677 | 20,239 | 50,451 |
| 1978 | 175 | 89.7% | 28,820 | 40,126 | 53,542 |
| 1977 | 51 | 76.5% | 7,036 | 11,508 | 35,074 |
How Long Does a Suzuki GS400 Last?
Based on 106 Suzuki GS400 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki GS400 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS400 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 GS400
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.7% MOT pass rate from 175 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS400 is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.7% across 175 tests. The 1977 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki GS400 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki GS400 THIS CAR | 82.3% | 475 | 31,448 mi | 49 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 |
| Toyota Corolla 16V | 68.5% | 419 | 119,002 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki GS400 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 GS400Should you buy a used Suzuki GS400?
The Suzuki GS400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 475 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 GS400 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (11 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (6). 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 GS400 owner drives around 496 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 GS400 models stay on UK roads for around 49 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.