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Suzuki VS1400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki VS1400 car check

Is the Suzuki VS1400 reliable? We analysed 4,200 real MOT tests across 439 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,200 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.6%
Typical Mileage
17,860mi
Annual Mileage
486mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
39yrs

The Suzuki VS1400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki VS1400.

Suzuki VS1400 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki VS1400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki VS1400 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki VS1400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.9%
2008
88.2%
2007
87.2%
2006
88%
2005
83.5%
2004
79.5%
2003
86.4%
2002
90.3%
2001
89%
2000
85.6%
1999
85.1%
1998
85.1%
1997
84.3%
1996
88.5%
1995
84.4%
1994
83%
1993
89.4%
1992
84.6%
1989
81.1%
1988
86.6%
1987

Suzuki VS1400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki VS1400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 29
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 28
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 24
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 20
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 17
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 13
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 12
reflector on motorcycle missing 11
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 10

Suzuki VS1400 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki VS1400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
159 mi/yr
Typical
486 mi/yr
Average
984 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,200 mi/yr

Suzuki VS1400 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki VS1400 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 58 87.9% 3,170 15,804 28,032
2007 51 88.2% 6,264 8,929 17,892
2006 203 87.2% 5,232 9,946 17,887
2005 92 88.0% 7,288 9,960 12,856
2004 170 83.5% 5,735 10,498 21,190
2003 83 79.5% 3,262 9,421 13,579
2002 66 86.4% 11,105 15,250 28,435
2001 62 90.3% 7,851 18,217 26,953
2000 154 89.0% 8,183 11,879 17,118
1999 216 85.6% 14,636 22,588 27,426
1998 577 85.1% 9,815 15,079 21,206
1997 484 85.1% 9,628 15,020 26,239
1996 734 84.3% 13,163 19,562 30,548
1995 278 88.5% 10,264 16,283 22,783
1994 270 84.4% 14,743 21,466 28,763
1993 112 83.0% 19,019 23,592 26,273
1992 66 89.4% 27,542 30,920 44,292
1989 104 84.6% 18,357 24,504 44,542
1988 95 81.1% 18,166 27,551 43,600
1987 209 86.6% 14,584 23,580 31,195

How Long Does a Suzuki VS1400 Last?

Based on 439 Suzuki VS1400 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
21.6 years
Median
22.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
39 years

Suzuki VS1400 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki VS1400 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
17,860 mi
75th Percentile
26,120 mi
95th Percentile
44,931 mi
Max Recorded
301,420 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki VS1400

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

Best year
2001

90.3% MOT pass rate from 62 tests

Year to avoid
2003

79.5% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki VS1400 is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.3% across 62 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki VS1400 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki VS1400 THIS CAR 85.6% 4,200 17,860 mi 39 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
Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto 75.3% 7,440 45,851 mi 19 yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki VS1400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki VS1400?

The Suzuki VS1400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.6% across 4,200 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 VS1400 are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (29 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (28), and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (24). 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 VS1400 owner drives around 486 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 VS1400 models stay on UK roads for around 39 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 VS1400 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki VS1400 reliable?
Based on 4,200 MOT tests, the Suzuki VS1400 has a 85.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki VS1400?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki VS1400 do per year?
The typical Suzuki VS1400 does around 486 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki VS1400 last?
Most Suzuki VS1400 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years based on our analysis of 439 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki VS1400?
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 VS1400?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki VS1400 is 2001 with a 90.3% pass rate across 62 tests.