Suzuki Katana Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki Katana car check
Is the Suzuki Katana reliable? We analysed 1,583 real MOT tests across 290 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki Katana? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki Katana is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki Katana.
Suzuki Katana Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki Katana. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki Katana MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki Katana to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki Katana Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki Katana fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki Katana Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki Katana owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki Katana MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki Katana year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 84 | 76.2% | 10,027 | 14,847 | 29,126 |
| 1999 | 128 | 79.7% | 6,154 | 11,128 | 28,482 |
| 1998 | 154 | 85.1% | 10,541 | 25,284 | 31,716 |
| 1997 | 93 | 80.6% | 12,217 | 17,540 | 28,975 |
| 1996 | 53 | 83.0% | 12,545 | 42,398 | 48,862 |
| 1993 | 57 | 84.2% | 15,636 | 26,291 | 34,542 |
| 1992 | 76 | 92.1% | 19,272 | 28,523 | 41,261 |
| 1984 | 126 | 87.3% | 24,825 | 37,070 | 48,576 |
| 1983 | 128 | 85.9% | 31,919 | 40,594 | 51,416 |
| 1982 | 234 | 83.8% | 27,340 | 38,524 | 56,972 |
| 1981 | 112 | 92.0% | 21,577 | 35,117 | 67,548 |
How Long Does a Suzuki Katana Last?
Based on 290 Suzuki Katana vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki Katana Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki Katana 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 Katana
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.1% MOT pass rate from 76 tests
76.2% MOT pass rate from 84 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki Katana is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.1% across 76 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki Katana Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Katana THIS CAR | 84.6% | 1,583 | 27,022 mi | 45 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 |
| Lexmoto Tornado | 68.7% | 683 | 7,806 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki Katana outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki Katana 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 KatanaShould you buy a used Suzuki Katana?
The Suzuki Katana has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.6% across 1,583 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 Katana are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (23 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (17), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (17). 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 Katana owner drives around 439 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 Katana models stay on UK roads for around 45 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.