CarVerify

Suzuki GT380 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki GT380 car check

Is the Suzuki GT380 reliable? We analysed 1,896 real MOT tests across 437 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Suzuki GT380? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 1,896 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.3%
Typical Mileage
20,050mi
Annual Mileage
180mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
54yrs

The Suzuki GT380 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, steering headbearing has excessive free play and tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki GT380.

Suzuki GT380 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki GT380. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki GT380 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki GT380 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.9%
1979
91.3%
1978
90.3%
1977
91%
1976
92.2%
1975
88.1%
1974
87.9%
1972

Suzuki GT380 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki GT380 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 13
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 7
Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s 7
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 6
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 5
Direction indicator not working 5
Tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 5
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 5
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing 4
Direction indicators not working 4

Suzuki GT380 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki GT380 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
53 mi/yr
Typical
180 mi/yr
Average
450 mi/yr
Heavy usage
447 mi/yr

Suzuki GT380 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki GT380 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1979 168 89.9% 9,564 16,954 28,402
1978 231 91.3% 13,132 21,356 29,124
1977 257 90.3% 16,175 25,016 31,010
1976 558 91.0% 14,218 22,306 29,130
1975 193 92.2% 13,358 17,667 26,865
1974 109 88.1% 15,255 25,196 29,273
1972 66 87.9% 9,752 12,050 14,192

How Long Does a Suzuki GT380 Last?

Based on 437 Suzuki GT380 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
33.9 years
Median
38.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
54 years

Suzuki GT380 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki GT380 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,050 mi
75th Percentile
28,820 mi
95th Percentile
41,345 mi
Max Recorded
76,586 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki GT380

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

Best year
1975

92.2% MOT pass rate from 193 tests

Year to avoid
1972

87.9% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki GT380 is 1975, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.2% across 193 tests. The 1972 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki GT380 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki GT380 THIS CAR 90.3% 1,896 20,050 mi 54 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 GT380 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki GT380 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 GT380

Should you buy a used Suzuki GT380?

The Suzuki GT380 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.3% across 1,896 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 GT380 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (13 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (7), and tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s (7). 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 GT380 owner drives around 180 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 GT380 models stay on UK roads for around 54 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 GT380 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki GT380 reliable?
Based on 1,896 MOT tests, the Suzuki GT380 has a 90.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki GT380?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, steering headbearing has excessive free play, and tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki GT380 do per year?
The typical Suzuki GT380 does around 180 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki GT380 last?
Most Suzuki GT380 models stay on UK roads for around 54 years based on our analysis of 437 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki GT380?
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 GT380?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki GT380 is 1975 with a 92.2% pass rate across 193 tests.