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Suzuki GS500F Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GS500F car check

Is the Suzuki GS500F reliable? We analysed 2,782 real MOT tests across 296 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,782 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.0%
Typical Mileage
12,418mi
Annual Mileage
820mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Suzuki GS500F is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS500F.

Suzuki GS500F Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS500F. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GS500F MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GS500F to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84.5%
2008
85.3%
2007
84.8%
2006
82.1%
2005
87.5%
2004

Suzuki GS500F Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GS500F fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 50
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 41
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 29
Drive chain excessively loose 25
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 22
Horn not working 15
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 14
Drive chain worn to excess 13
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 12

Suzuki GS500F Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS500F owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
203 mi/yr
Typical
820 mi/yr
Average
1,705 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,174 mi/yr

Suzuki GS500F MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS500F year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 633 84.5% 7,076 13,711 21,289
2007 550 85.3% 4,973 12,361 22,657
2006 699 84.8% 4,858 8,973 17,074
2005 597 82.1% 6,404 11,631 22,073
2004 56 87.5% 2,641 11,048 18,012

How Long Does a Suzuki GS500F Last?

Based on 296 Suzuki GS500F vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.8 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
22 years

Suzuki GS500F Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS500F MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,418 mi
75th Percentile
21,762 mi
95th Percentile
39,828 mi
Max Recorded
187,546 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GS500F

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

Best year
2004

87.5% MOT pass rate from 56 tests

Year to avoid
2005

82.1% MOT pass rate from 597 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS500F is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.5% across 56 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GS500F Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GS500F THIS CAR 84.0% 2,782 12,418 mi 22 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
Renault Modus Oasis 16V 77.1% 938 75,322 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS500F outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki GS500F?

The Suzuki GS500F has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.0% across 2,782 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 GS500F are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (50 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (41), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (29). 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 GS500F owner drives around 820 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 GS500F models stay on UK roads for around 22 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 GS500F — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GS500F reliable?
Based on 2,782 MOT tests, the Suzuki GS500F has a 84.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GS500F?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GS500F do per year?
The typical Suzuki GS500F does around 820 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GS500F last?
Most Suzuki GS500F models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 296 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GS500F?
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 GS500F?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GS500F is 2004 with a 87.5% pass rate across 56 tests.