Suzuki TS185 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki TS185 car check
Is the Suzuki TS185 reliable? We analysed 1,247 real MOT tests across 297 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki TS185? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki TS185 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include horn not working, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki TS185.
Suzuki TS185 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki TS185. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki TS185 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki TS185 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki TS185 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki TS185 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki TS185 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki TS185 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki TS185 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki TS185 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 170 | 76.5% | 5,507 | 8,809 | 11,960 |
| 1980 | 177 | 82.5% | 7,197 | 11,067 | 14,430 |
| 1979 | 149 | 82.6% | 5,964 | 12,840 | 15,632 |
| 1978 | 102 | 76.5% | 8,261 | 10,681 | 14,484 |
| 1977 | 67 | 80.6% | 3,668 | 7,610 | 19,858 |
| 1976 | 250 | 85.2% | 5,870 | 11,219 | 18,048 |
How Long Does a Suzuki TS185 Last?
Based on 297 Suzuki TS185 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki TS185 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki TS185 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 TS185
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.2% MOT pass rate from 250 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 102 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki TS185 is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.2% across 250 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki TS185 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki TS185 THIS CAR | 81.2% | 1,247 | 10,030 mi | 50 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 |
| Aprilia RS4 125 | 75.8% | 1,747 | 9,427 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki TS185 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki TS185 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 TS185Should you buy a used Suzuki TS185?
The Suzuki TS185 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.2% across 1,247 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 TS185 are horn not working (28 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (24), and direction indicator not working (17). 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 TS185 owner drives around 116 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 TS185 models stay on UK roads for around 50 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.