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Suzuki GS450 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GS450 car check

Is the Suzuki GS450 reliable? We analysed 1,256 real MOT tests across 213 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,256 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.6%
Typical Mileage
27,547mi
Annual Mileage
377mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
46yrs

The Suzuki GS450 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS450.

Suzuki GS450 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS450. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GS450 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GS450 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.7%
1990
82.3%
1989
80.3%
1988
81.9%
1987
83%
1986
89.6%
1983
80.2%
1981
79.6%
1980

Suzuki GS450 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GS450 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 29
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 16
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 12
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 11
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 9
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock 7
Drive chain excessively loose 7
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 6
Direction indicators not working 6
Tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim 5

Suzuki GS450 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS450 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
106 mi/yr
Typical
377 mi/yr
Average
974 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,044 mi/yr

Suzuki GS450 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS450 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1990 104 81.7% 25,826 36,530 39,085
1989 164 82.3% 21,771 32,184 43,638
1988 178 80.3% 23,154 31,943 41,862
1987 138 81.9% 14,186 20,047 35,256
1986 165 83.0% 22,891 29,806 52,767
1983 67 89.6% 20,633 23,093 53,720
1981 91 80.2% 17,554 26,551 30,320
1980 98 79.6% 10,515 16,420 28,407

How Long Does a Suzuki GS450 Last?

Based on 213 Suzuki GS450 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.9 years
Median
27.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
46 years

Suzuki GS450 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS450 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
27,547 mi
75th Percentile
39,352 mi
95th Percentile
62,902 mi
Max Recorded
123,310 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GS450

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

Best year
1983

89.6% MOT pass rate from 67 tests

Year to avoid
1980

79.6% MOT pass rate from 98 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS450 is 1983, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.6% across 67 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GS450 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GS450 THIS CAR 81.6% 1,256 27,547 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
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque R-dynamic A 88.9% 1,389 26,210 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS450 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki GS450?

The Suzuki GS450 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.6% across 1,256 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 GS450 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (29 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (16), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (12). 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 GS450 owner drives around 377 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 GS450 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 GS450 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GS450 reliable?
Based on 1,256 MOT tests, the Suzuki GS450 has a 81.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GS450?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GS450 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GS450 does around 377 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GS450 last?
Most Suzuki GS450 models stay on UK roads for around 46 years based on our analysis of 213 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GS450?
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 GS450?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GS450 is 1983 with a 89.6% pass rate across 67 tests.