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Suzuki SB200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki SB200 car check

Is the Suzuki SB200 reliable? We analysed 630 real MOT tests across 127 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 630 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.3%
Typical Mileage
18,470mi
Annual Mileage
135mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
47yrs

The Suzuki SB200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, steering headbearing has excessive free play and direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki SB200.

Suzuki SB200 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki SB200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki SB200 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki SB200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.8%
1982
84.7%
1981
90.4%
1980
81.9%
1979

Suzuki SB200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki SB200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 4
Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp 3
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing 3
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 3
Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute 3
Direction indicator not working 3
suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. 2
Direction indicators not working 2
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 2

Suzuki SB200 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki SB200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
38 mi/yr
Typical
135 mi/yr
Average
361 mi/yr
Heavy usage
411 mi/yr

Suzuki SB200 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki SB200 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1982 106 85.8% 9,221 12,048 24,289
1981 203 84.7% 9,818 19,297 29,822
1980 125 90.4% 11,952 18,703 25,128
1979 105 81.9% 10,564 18,220 27,854

How Long Does a Suzuki SB200 Last?

Based on 127 Suzuki SB200 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
33.2 years
Median
35.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
47 years

Suzuki SB200 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki SB200 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
18,470 mi
75th Percentile
26,524 mi
95th Percentile
44,069 mi
Max Recorded
101,152 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki SB200

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

Best year
1980

90.4% MOT pass rate from 125 tests

Year to avoid
1979

81.9% MOT pass rate from 105 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki SB200 is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.4% across 125 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki SB200 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki SB200 THIS CAR 86.3% 630 18,470 mi 47 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
Vauxhall Crossland SE Turbo 89.2% 1,067 36,749 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki SB200 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki SB200 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.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki SB200?

The Suzuki SB200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.3% across 630 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 SB200 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (4), and direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp (3). 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 SB200 owner drives around 135 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 SB200 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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 SB200 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki SB200 reliable?
Based on 630 MOT tests, the Suzuki SB200 has a 86.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki SB200?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, steering headbearing has excessive free play, and direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki SB200 do per year?
The typical Suzuki SB200 does around 135 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki SB200 last?
Most Suzuki SB200 models stay on UK roads for around 47 years based on our analysis of 127 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki SB200?
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 SB200?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki SB200 is 1980 with a 90.4% pass rate across 125 tests.