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Suzuki GSF1200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GSF1200 car check

Is the Suzuki GSF1200 reliable? We analysed 167,874 real MOT tests across 12,651 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 167,874 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.0%
Typical Mileage
20,757mi
Annual Mileage
809mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Suzuki GSF1200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GSF1200.

Suzuki GSF1200 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GSF1200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GSF1200 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GSF1200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

91.1%
2011
91.4%
2010
90.5%
2009
87.4%
2008
87.7%
2007
87.6%
2006
87%
2005
86%
2004
87.1%
2003
85.8%
2002
85.3%
2001
85%
2000
84.2%
1999
83.9%
1998
83.4%
1997
82.9%
1996
77.4%
1995

Suzuki GSF1200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GSF1200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 1,887
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 1,277
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 1,004
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 775
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 637
reflector on motorcycle missing 619
Direction indicator not working 445
Headlamp aim too low 425
Drive chain excessively loose 396

Suzuki GSF1200 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Suzuki GSF1200 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 389

Suzuki GSF1200 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GSF1200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
282 mi/yr
Typical
809 mi/yr
Average
1,531 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,884 mi/yr

Suzuki GSF1200 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GSF1200 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 112 91.1% 9,360 22,510 32,277
2010 257 91.4% 8,569 13,958 20,608
2009 663 90.5% 8,708 15,767 25,326
2008 931 87.4% 9,968 16,015 23,298
2007 2,603 87.7% 8,878 15,372 24,462
2006 4,723 87.6% 9,619 16,232 25,641
2005 9,835 87.0% 8,867 15,170 24,106
2004 9,361 86.0% 9,649 16,632 25,690
2003 13,084 87.1% 10,429 17,618 27,021
2002 15,527 85.8% 11,246 18,961 29,375
2001 16,879 85.3% 12,885 20,562 29,983
2000 18,136 85.0% 13,816 21,483 31,481
1999 20,629 84.2% 13,699 21,638 31,529
1998 22,232 83.9% 14,382 22,572 33,000
1997 22,873 83.4% 16,346 24,640 35,021
1996 9,472 82.9% 17,572 25,967 36,270
1995 124 77.4% 16,571 25,941 36,706

How Long Does a Suzuki GSF1200 Last?

Based on 12,651 Suzuki GSF1200 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.1 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Suzuki GSF1200 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,757 mi
75th Percentile
30,994 mi
95th Percentile
50,675 mi
Max Recorded
660,713 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GSF1200

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

Best year
2010

91.4% MOT pass rate from 257 tests

Year to avoid
1995

77.4% MOT pass rate from 124 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GSF1200 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.4% across 257 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GSF1200 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GSF1200 THIS CAR 85.0% 167,874 20,757 mi 30 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
Porsche Cayman 88.7% 183,163 39,454 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GSF1200 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki GSF1200?

The Suzuki GSF1200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 167,874 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 GSF1200 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (1,887 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1,277), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1,004). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Suzuki GSF1200 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Suzuki GSF1200 owner drives around 809 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 GSF1200 models stay on UK roads for around 30 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 GSF1200 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GSF1200 reliable?
Based on 167,874 MOT tests, the Suzuki GSF1200 has a 85.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GSF1200?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GSF1200 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GSF1200 does around 809 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GSF1200 last?
Most Suzuki GSF1200 models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 12,651 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GSF1200?
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 GSF1200?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GSF1200 is 2010 with a 91.4% pass rate across 257 tests.