Suzuki GS500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki GS500 car check
Is the Suzuki GS500 reliable? We analysed 55,003 real MOT tests across 6,013 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki GS500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki GS500 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS500.
Suzuki GS500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki GS500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki GS500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki GS500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki GS500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki GS500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki GS500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,401 | 84.3% | 7,020 | 14,156 | 23,108 |
| 2007 | 1,231 | 82.1% | 8,752 | 16,513 | 27,577 |
| 2006 | 1,402 | 83.0% | 8,662 | 15,703 | 26,340 |
| 2005 | 2,575 | 81.6% | 9,037 | 16,280 | 25,988 |
| 2004 | 5,648 | 82.3% | 9,143 | 15,962 | 26,597 |
| 2003 | 6,125 | 83.2% | 9,867 | 17,697 | 28,747 |
| 2002 | 4,116 | 81.8% | 12,146 | 20,844 | 31,789 |
| 2001 | 4,175 | 82.4% | 13,060 | 21,389 | 32,164 |
| 2000 | 3,454 | 80.7% | 14,624 | 23,788 | 33,793 |
| 1999 | 3,667 | 81.1% | 14,644 | 24,191 | 35,696 |
| 1998 | 4,390 | 78.6% | 16,016 | 24,455 | 36,841 |
| 1997 | 5,260 | 78.9% | 17,215 | 26,370 | 37,703 |
| 1996 | 2,424 | 78.6% | 16,935 | 26,155 | 36,172 |
| 1995 | 1,746 | 76.7% | 19,329 | 27,403 | 37,318 |
| 1994 | 2,448 | 75.4% | 19,955 | 29,691 | 39,774 |
| 1993 | 1,292 | 75.9% | 20,730 | 28,283 | 37,930 |
| 1992 | 1,161 | 78.6% | 21,282 | 30,193 | 39,820 |
| 1991 | 834 | 78.3% | 21,681 | 31,480 | 40,548 |
| 1990 | 862 | 77.5% | 20,996 | 32,723 | 46,072 |
| 1989 | 550 | 78.5% | 25,144 | 38,808 | 49,232 |
How Long Does a Suzuki GS500 Last?
Based on 6,013 Suzuki GS500 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki GS500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS500 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 GS500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.3% MOT pass rate from 1,401 tests
75.4% MOT pass rate from 2,448 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS500 is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.3% across 1,401 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki GS500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki GS500 THIS CAR | 80.5% | 55,003 | 22,351 mi | 37 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 |
| Piaggio T5 | 84.3% | 23,542 | 12,022 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS500 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki GS500 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 GS500Should you buy a used Suzuki GS500?
The Suzuki GS500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.5% across 55,003 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 GS500 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (1,184 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (915), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (875). 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 GS500 owner drives around 1,009 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 GS500 models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.