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Suzuki TS250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki TS250 car check

Is the Suzuki TS250 reliable? We analysed 1,992 real MOT tests across 466 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,992 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.3%
Typical Mileage
13,701mi
Annual Mileage
127mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
52yrs

The Suzuki TS250 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 position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki TS250.

Suzuki TS250 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki TS250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki TS250 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki TS250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

88.5%
1987
80.4%
1986
88.6%
1982
84.3%
1981
83.9%
1980
83.1%
1979
84.1%
1978
86.6%
1977
84.3%
1976
85.9%
1975
83.6%
1974

Suzuki TS250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki TS250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Horn not working 32
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 32
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 19
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user 18
reflector on motorcycle missing 17
Direction indicators not working 17
wheel bearings have excessive free play 13
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 11
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute 10
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 10

Suzuki TS250 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki TS250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
33 mi/yr
Typical
127 mi/yr
Average
447 mi/yr
Heavy usage
330 mi/yr

Suzuki TS250 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki TS250 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1987 52 88.5% 17,241 19,736 37,148
1986 56 80.4% 12,617 16,816 20,000
1982 184 88.6% 10,563 17,381 25,306
1981 249 84.3% 9,045 15,194 18,124
1980 230 83.9% 8,940 16,471 19,892
1979 242 83.1% 8,029 14,502 20,600
1978 82 84.1% 614 8,584 16,322
1977 127 86.6% 2,816 9,181 23,820
1976 83 84.3% 9,682 15,600 23,722
1975 71 85.9% 2,320 6,444 15,297
1974 61 83.6% 6,996 13,866 21,663

How Long Does a Suzuki TS250 Last?

Based on 466 Suzuki TS250 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
29.7 years
Median
34.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
52 years

Suzuki TS250 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki TS250 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
13,701 mi
75th Percentile
20,264 mi
95th Percentile
36,899 mi
Max Recorded
182,511 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki TS250

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

Best year
1982

88.6% MOT pass rate from 184 tests

Year to avoid
1986

80.4% MOT pass rate from 56 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki TS250 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.6% across 184 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki TS250 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki TS250 THIS CAR 85.3% 1,992 13,701 mi 52 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 Nss 350 A-m 95% 858 6,768 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki TS250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki TS250 you like?

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Should you buy a used Suzuki TS250?

The Suzuki TS250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.3% across 1,992 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 TS250 are horn not working (32 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (32), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (19). 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 TS250 owner drives around 127 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 TS250 models stay on UK roads for around 52 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 TS250 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki TS250 reliable?
Based on 1,992 MOT tests, the Suzuki TS250 has a 85.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki TS250?
The most common MOT failures are horn not working, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki TS250 do per year?
The typical Suzuki TS250 does around 127 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki TS250 last?
Most Suzuki TS250 models stay on UK roads for around 52 years based on our analysis of 466 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki TS250?
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 TS250?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki TS250 is 1982 with a 88.6% pass rate across 184 tests.