Suzuki RG500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki RG500 car check
Is the Suzuki RG500 reliable? We analysed 2,459 real MOT tests across 436 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki RG500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki RG500 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 direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki RG500.
Suzuki RG500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki RG500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki RG500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki RG500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki RG500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki RG500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki RG500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki RG500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki RG500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki RG500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 111 | 92.8% | 12,613 | 16,052 | 22,284 |
| 1989 | 366 | 92.9% | 9,079 | 17,214 | 22,283 |
| 1988 | 398 | 89.9% | 13,742 | 18,226 | 25,616 |
| 1987 | 347 | 88.5% | 16,070 | 21,060 | 28,823 |
| 1986 | 493 | 87.4% | 12,767 | 17,546 | 26,556 |
| 1985 | 399 | 88.0% | 13,938 | 20,215 | 25,950 |
How Long Does a Suzuki RG500 Last?
Based on 436 Suzuki RG500 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki RG500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki RG500 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 RG500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.9% MOT pass rate from 366 tests
87.4% MOT pass rate from 493 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki RG500 is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.9% across 366 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki RG500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki RG500 THIS CAR | 89.8% | 2,459 | 18,244 mi | 41 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 |
| Piaggio Zip 50 2T | 74.7% | 2,156 | 9,038 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki RG500 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki RG500 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 RG500Should you buy a used Suzuki RG500?
The Suzuki RG500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.8% across 2,459 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 RG500 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (20 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (13), and direction indicator not working (9). 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 RG500 owner drives around 166 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 RG500 models stay on UK roads for around 41 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.