Suzuki GS850 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki GS850 car check
Is the Suzuki GS850 reliable? We analysed 6,376 real MOT tests across 1,024 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki GS850? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki GS850 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GS850.
Suzuki GS850 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki GS850. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki GS850 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki GS850 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki GS850 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki GS850 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki GS850 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki GS850 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki GS850 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GS850 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 50 | 86.0% | 31,109 | 44,140 | 81,285 |
| 1999 | 90 | 81.1% | 15,041 | 28,650 | 57,473 |
| 1998 | 137 | 81.8% | 17,016 | 29,150 | 43,553 |
| 1997 | 125 | 80.0% | 7,481 | 28,750 | 48,208 |
| 1996 | 85 | 82.4% | 20,916 | 35,231 | 50,118 |
| 1995 | 71 | 88.7% | 21,326 | 33,635 | 40,043 |
| 1993 | 59 | 72.9% | 3,036 | 7,200 | 30,251 |
| 1992 | 62 | 87.1% | 9,099 | 24,745 | 39,123 |
| 1988 | 386 | 82.4% | 15,200 | 38,166 | 55,343 |
| 1987 | 533 | 82.4% | 22,193 | 35,238 | 54,073 |
| 1986 | 334 | 82.6% | 19,593 | 39,055 | 52,926 |
| 1985 | 195 | 85.6% | 22,108 | 40,725 | 61,502 |
| 1984 | 93 | 80.6% | 28,490 | 39,700 | 62,242 |
| 1983 | 291 | 81.8% | 21,986 | 33,370 | 51,289 |
| 1982 | 574 | 83.1% | 24,919 | 38,757 | 53,552 |
| 1981 | 801 | 84.4% | 20,351 | 36,638 | 50,478 |
| 1980 | 1,068 | 83.3% | 22,241 | 37,742 | 50,942 |
| 1979 | 1,134 | 81.9% | 24,430 | 38,617 | 52,458 |
How Long Does a Suzuki GS850 Last?
Based on 1,024 Suzuki GS850 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki GS850 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GS850 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 GS850
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.7% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
72.9% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki GS850 is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.7% across 71 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki GS850 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki GS850 THIS CAR | 82.9% | 6,376 | 36,323 mi | 47 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 |
| Lamborghini Murcielago | 91.2% | 2,664 | 17,534 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GS850 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki GS850 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 GS850Should you buy a used Suzuki GS850?
The Suzuki GS850 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.9% across 6,376 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 GS850 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (104 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (90), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (88). 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 GS850 owner drives around 373 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 GS850 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.