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Suzuki GSF400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GSF400 car check

Is the Suzuki GSF400 reliable? We analysed 4,073 real MOT tests across 688 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,073 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.6%
Typical Mileage
27,140mi
Annual Mileage
581mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Suzuki GSF400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GSF400.

Suzuki GSF400 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GSF400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GSF400 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GSF400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.9%
2003
71.4%
2002
74.9%
2001
75.3%
2000
77.7%
1999
76.6%
1998
77.4%
1997
77.8%
1996
78.3%
1995
80.3%
1994
80.7%
1993
76%
1992
74.5%
1991
80.7%
1990
83.8%
1989

Suzuki GSF400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GSF400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 156
reflector on motorcycle missing 78
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 66
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 61
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 58
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 48
Drive chain excessively loose 40
Direction indicator not working 32
Brake pad(s) contaminated by oil or grease 29
Brake disc(s) friction surface contaminated by oil or grease 28

Suzuki GSF400 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GSF400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
154 mi/yr
Typical
581 mi/yr
Average
1,445 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,540 mi/yr

Suzuki GSF400 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GSF400 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 154 79.9% 11,776 18,777 27,889
2002 189 71.4% 18,186 24,764 29,293
2001 179 74.9% 18,328 23,789 29,180
2000 170 75.3% 20,870 29,750 40,997
1999 269 77.7% 20,515 29,208 40,480
1998 389 76.6% 22,464 31,837 39,090
1997 603 77.4% 22,664 31,932 42,837
1996 293 77.8% 20,179 28,009 42,283
1995 235 78.3% 16,747 23,408 31,718
1994 314 80.3% 16,853 23,220 28,040
1993 295 80.7% 18,155 25,774 40,140
1992 313 76.0% 19,535 26,838 34,867
1991 321 74.5% 21,131 31,300 41,416
1990 83 80.7% 19,570 30,570 46,166
1989 80 83.8% 22,828 29,720 39,700

How Long Does a Suzuki GSF400 Last?

Based on 688 Suzuki GSF400 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.5 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Suzuki GSF400 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GSF400 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
27,140 mi
75th Percentile
37,057 mi
95th Percentile
57,381 mi
Max Recorded
452,282 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GSF400

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

Best year
1989

83.8% MOT pass rate from 80 tests

Year to avoid
2002

71.4% MOT pass rate from 189 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GSF400 is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.8% across 80 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GSF400 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GSF400 THIS CAR 77.6% 4,073 27,140 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
Derbi GPR50-R 66% 2,658 13,802 mi 28 yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GSF400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki GSF400?

The Suzuki GSF400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.6% across 4,073 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 GSF400 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (156 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (78), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (66). 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 GSF400 owner drives around 581 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 GSF400 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.

Suzuki GSF400 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GSF400 reliable?
Based on 4,073 MOT tests, the Suzuki GSF400 has a 77.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GSF400?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GSF400 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GSF400 does around 581 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GSF400 last?
Most Suzuki GSF400 models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 688 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GSF400?
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 GSF400?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GSF400 is 1989 with a 83.8% pass rate across 80 tests.