Suzuki RF900 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki RF900 car check
Is the Suzuki RF900 reliable? We analysed 2,429 real MOT tests across 235 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki RF900? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki RF900 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki RF900.
Suzuki RF900 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki RF900. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki RF900 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki RF900 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki RF900 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki RF900 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki RF900 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki RF900 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki RF900 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki RF900 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 71 | 81.7% | 17,864 | 25,678 | 33,994 |
| 1999 | 79 | 89.9% | 13,285 | 20,188 | 32,048 |
| 1998 | 68 | 86.8% | 24,703 | 34,721 | 40,916 |
| 1997 | 164 | 80.5% | 16,122 | 25,318 | 31,186 |
| 1996 | 535 | 85.4% | 20,486 | 31,440 | 38,733 |
| 1995 | 644 | 83.7% | 22,443 | 30,866 | 38,359 |
| 1994 | 828 | 81.8% | 23,668 | 33,790 | 42,623 |
How Long Does a Suzuki RF900 Last?
Based on 235 Suzuki RF900 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki RF900 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki RF900 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 RF900
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.9% MOT pass rate from 79 tests
80.5% MOT pass rate from 164 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki RF900 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.9% across 79 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki RF900 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki RF900 THIS CAR | 83.4% | 2,429 | 31,231 mi | 32 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 |
| Honda Gold Wing | 87% | 1,548 | 45,723 mi | 47 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki RF900 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki RF900 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 RF900Should you buy a used Suzuki RF900?
The Suzuki RF900 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.4% across 2,429 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 RF900 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (53 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (46), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (24). 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 RF900 owner drives around 769 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 RF900 models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.