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Suzuki TL1000S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki TL1000S car check

Is the Suzuki TL1000S reliable? We analysed 18,279 real MOT tests across 1,788 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 18,279 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.3%
Typical Mileage
23,609mi
Annual Mileage
647mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Suzuki TL1000S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki TL1000S.

Suzuki TL1000S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki TL1000S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki TL1000S MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki TL1000S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81%
2003
82.5%
2002
85.3%
2001
84.2%
2000
83.5%
1999
82.7%
1998
83.2%
1997

Suzuki TL1000S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki TL1000S 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 233
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 188
reflector on motorcycle missing 164
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 140
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 131
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 96
wheel bearings have excessive free play 94
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 75
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 75
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 72

Suzuki TL1000S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki TL1000S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
205 mi/yr
Typical
647 mi/yr
Average
1,255 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,520 mi/yr

Suzuki TL1000S MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki TL1000S year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 79 81.0% 13,148 20,736 28,876
2002 428 82.5% 9,427 15,192 21,924
2001 1,409 85.3% 11,892 17,695 25,135
2000 1,726 84.2% 13,794 19,957 27,296
1999 2,569 83.5% 16,597 23,539 30,974
1998 4,269 82.7% 17,176 24,428 32,863
1997 7,730 83.2% 18,187 25,681 34,540

How Long Does a Suzuki TL1000S Last?

Based on 1,788 Suzuki TL1000S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.4 years
Median
21.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Suzuki TL1000S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki TL1000S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
23,609 mi
75th Percentile
32,238 mi
95th Percentile
49,009 mi
Max Recorded
523,633 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki TL1000S

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

Best year
2001

85.3% MOT pass rate from 1,409 tests

Year to avoid
2003

81.0% MOT pass rate from 79 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki TL1000S is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.3% across 1,409 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki TL1000S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki TL1000S THIS CAR 83.3% 18,279 23,609 mi 29 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
Audi Q3 Sport 35 TFSI 92% 6,915 29,987 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki TL1000S outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki TL1000S?

The Suzuki TL1000S has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.3% across 18,279 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 TL1000S are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (233 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (188), and reflector on motorcycle missing (164). 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 TL1000S owner drives around 647 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 TL1000S models stay on UK roads for around 29 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 TL1000S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki TL1000S reliable?
Based on 18,279 MOT tests, the Suzuki TL1000S has a 83.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki TL1000S?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki TL1000S do per year?
The typical Suzuki TL1000S does around 647 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki TL1000S last?
Most Suzuki TL1000S models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 1,788 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki TL1000S?
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 TL1000S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki TL1000S is 2001 with a 85.3% pass rate across 1,409 tests.