Suzuki GS500E Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki GS500E car check
Is the Suzuki GS500E reliable? We analysed 2,277 real MOT tests across 304 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki GS500E? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki GS500E is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS500E.
Suzuki GS500E Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS500E. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki GS500E MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki GS500E to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki GS500E Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki GS500E fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki GS500E Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS500E owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki GS500E MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS500E year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 60 | 73.3% | 11,842 | 30,186 | 45,648 |
| 2000 | 143 | 71.3% | 17,075 | 24,224 | 30,579 |
| 1998 | 88 | 75.0% | 19,648 | 28,827 | 33,870 |
| 1997 | 193 | 80.8% | 14,193 | 21,645 | 29,877 |
| 1996 | 379 | 79.9% | 17,672 | 29,041 | 36,552 |
| 1995 | 336 | 78.6% | 14,423 | 28,110 | 40,031 |
| 1994 | 343 | 80.5% | 14,648 | 27,012 | 38,020 |
| 1993 | 133 | 78.9% | 20,373 | 29,296 | 33,387 |
| 1992 | 167 | 71.9% | 17,506 | 27,783 | 46,929 |
| 1991 | 91 | 70.3% | 26,796 | 37,674 | 46,335 |
| 1990 | 166 | 74.7% | 21,376 | 27,770 | 38,000 |
| 1989 | 80 | 70.0% | 29,061 | 48,616 | 56,175 |
How Long Does a Suzuki GS500E Last?
Based on 304 Suzuki GS500E vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki GS500E Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS500E 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 GS500E
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.8% MOT pass rate from 193 tests
70.0% MOT pass rate from 80 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS500E is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.8% across 193 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki GS500E Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki GS500E THIS CAR | 77.2% | 2,277 | 27,666 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 |
| Ksr Moto Tw | 66.8% | 1,283 | 8,195 mi | 11 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS500E outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki GS500E 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 GS500EShould you buy a used Suzuki GS500E?
The Suzuki GS500E has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.2% across 2,277 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 GS500E are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (90 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (41), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (41). 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 GS500E owner drives around 773 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 GS500E 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.