CarVerify

Suzuki LS650 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki LS650 car check

Is the Suzuki LS650 reliable? We analysed 3,023 real MOT tests across 374 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Suzuki LS650? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 3,023 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.6%
Typical Mileage
15,108mi
Annual Mileage
298mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

The Suzuki LS650 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 exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki LS650.

Suzuki LS650 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki LS650. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki LS650 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki LS650 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82%
2006
85%
2005
94.4%
2003
84.6%
2002
90.4%
2001
87%
2000
83%
1999
90.6%
1998
89.1%
1997
85.2%
1996
86.6%
1995
86.8%
1994
78.5%
1993
84.6%
1992
86.7%
1991
79.6%
1990
79.6%
1989
77.1%
1988
77.3%
1987
79.8%
1986

Suzuki LS650 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki LS650 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 42
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 42
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 18
reflector on motorcycle missing 17
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 15
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 14
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 13
Direction indicators not working 12
Horn not working 11
Headlamp aim too high 9

Suzuki LS650 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki LS650 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
86 mi/yr
Typical
298 mi/yr
Average
710 mi/yr
Heavy usage
782 mi/yr

Suzuki LS650 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki LS650 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 50 82.0% 3,080 4,741 8,992
2005 80 85.0% 6,139 7,414 15,062
2003 72 94.4% 5,365 10,478 19,232
2002 234 84.6% 6,672 13,772 19,269
2001 135 90.4% 5,121 9,298 12,144
2000 69 87.0% 6,933 12,449 17,512
1999 53 83.0% 1,893 21,976 25,098
1998 53 90.6% 6,134 7,383 13,432
1997 202 89.1% 7,790 12,984 18,551
1996 365 85.2% 9,159 13,400 18,652
1995 142 86.6% 7,572 12,879 19,322
1994 227 86.8% 9,076 16,045 22,922
1993 107 78.5% 11,084 14,852 17,764
1992 182 84.6% 14,183 19,866 27,917
1991 249 86.7% 12,306 19,544 30,408
1990 142 79.6% 14,852 20,122 25,584
1989 113 79.6% 9,715 12,668 16,820
1988 118 77.1% 18,123 22,324 31,160
1987 176 77.3% 21,339 24,770 27,493
1986 104 79.8% 17,815 21,528 34,525

How Long Does a Suzuki LS650 Last?

Based on 374 Suzuki LS650 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
22.8 years
Median
23.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Suzuki LS650 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki LS650 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
15,108 mi
75th Percentile
22,696 mi
95th Percentile
39,841 mi
Max Recorded
484,439 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki LS650

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

Best year
2003

94.4% MOT pass rate from 72 tests

Year to avoid
1988

77.1% MOT pass rate from 118 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki LS650 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.4% across 72 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki LS650 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki LS650 THIS CAR 84.6% 3,023 15,108 mi 40 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
Volkswagen Passat SE Business TDI Bmt 93.1% 3,472 88,706 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki LS650 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki LS650 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 LS650

Should you buy a used Suzuki LS650?

The Suzuki LS650 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.6% across 3,023 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 LS650 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (42 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (42), and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (18). 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 LS650 owner drives around 298 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 LS650 models stay on UK roads for around 40 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 LS650 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki LS650 reliable?
Based on 3,023 MOT tests, the Suzuki LS650 has a 84.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki LS650?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki LS650 do per year?
The typical Suzuki LS650 does around 298 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki LS650 last?
Most Suzuki LS650 models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 374 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki LS650?
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 LS650?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki LS650 is 2003 with a 94.4% pass rate across 72 tests.