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Suzuki GSXR400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GSXR400 car check

Is the Suzuki GSXR400 reliable? We analysed 2,330 real MOT tests across 442 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,330 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.8%
Typical Mileage
29,484mi
Annual Mileage
559mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
38yrs

The Suzuki GSXR400 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 GSXR400.

Suzuki GSXR400 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GSXR400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GSXR400 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GSXR400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80.5%
2002
81.3%
2000
83%
1999
75.8%
1998
76.7%
1997
75.6%
1996
70.9%
1995
71.1%
1994
78.9%
1993
71.6%
1992
78.8%
1991
73.3%
1990
75.4%
1988

Suzuki GSXR400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GSXR400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 78
reflector on motorcycle missing 64
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 62
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 45
Drive chain excessively loose 25
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 25
Footrest insecure 22
Direction indicator not working 21
Headlamp aim too low 21
Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. 20

Suzuki GSXR400 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GSXR400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
163 mi/yr
Typical
559 mi/yr
Average
1,546 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,607 mi/yr

Suzuki GSXR400 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GSXR400 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 82 80.5% 14,539 22,702 34,891
2000 112 81.3% 20,839 24,172 32,184
1999 176 83.0% 21,516 27,200 35,232
1998 297 75.8% 19,530 27,362 32,170
1997 434 76.7% 23,507 30,536 41,341
1996 279 75.6% 25,279 31,831 40,225
1995 148 70.9% 25,889 34,876 43,461
1994 97 71.1% 27,559 34,394 44,650
1993 109 78.9% 14,386 24,198 32,710
1992 102 71.6% 20,938 39,519 47,128
1991 156 78.8% 22,350 29,302 36,150
1990 101 73.3% 25,026 32,563 38,605
1988 69 75.4% 25,558 36,589 54,945

How Long Does a Suzuki GSXR400 Last?

Based on 442 Suzuki GSXR400 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.1 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
38 years

Suzuki GSXR400 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GSXR400 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
29,484 mi
75th Percentile
38,196 mi
95th Percentile
54,621 mi
Max Recorded
471,964 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GSXR400

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

Best year
1999

83.0% MOT pass rate from 176 tests

Year to avoid
1995

70.9% MOT pass rate from 148 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GSXR400 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.0% across 176 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GSXR400 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GSXR400 THIS CAR 76.8% 2,330 29,484 mi 38 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
Kawasaki Kle 650 Fkf 92.4% 1,251 7,835 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki GSXR400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki GSXR400?

The Suzuki GSXR400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.8% across 2,330 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 GSXR400 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (78 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (64), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (62). 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 GSXR400 owner drives around 559 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 GSXR400 models stay on UK roads for around 38 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 GSXR400 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GSXR400 reliable?
Based on 2,330 MOT tests, the Suzuki GSXR400 has a 76.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GSXR400?
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 GSXR400 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GSXR400 does around 559 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GSXR400 last?
Most Suzuki GSXR400 models stay on UK roads for around 38 years based on our analysis of 442 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GSXR400?
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 GSXR400?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GSXR400 is 1999 with a 83.0% pass rate across 176 tests.