CarVerify

Suzuki VS800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki VS800 car check

Is the Suzuki VS800 reliable? We analysed 3,043 real MOT tests across 333 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Suzuki VS800? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 3,043 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.4%
Typical Mileage
18,570mi
Annual Mileage
407mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
34yrs

The Suzuki VS800 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 shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki VS800.

Suzuki VS800 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki VS800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki VS800 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki VS800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84.5%
2007
93%
2006
88.9%
2005
82.4%
2002
86.5%
2001
85.9%
1998
85.5%
1997
86.6%
1996
85.8%
1995
83.3%
1994
87.4%
1993
83.9%
1992

Suzuki VS800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki VS800 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 42
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 28
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 18
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 13
Horn not working 13
Direction indicators not working 10
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released 9
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 9
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 8

Suzuki VS800 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki VS800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
136 mi/yr
Typical
407 mi/yr
Average
881 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,063 mi/yr

Suzuki VS800 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki VS800 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 58 84.5% 6,273 9,732 21,951
2006 57 93.0% 6,353 11,260 28,099
2005 63 88.9% 6,563 9,375 18,772
2002 51 82.4% 17,861 19,174 21,714
2001 52 86.5% 12,925 15,154 18,428
1998 78 85.9% 6,663 10,050 17,046
1997 110 85.5% 6,272 11,547 23,380
1996 560 86.6% 9,890 16,670 22,930
1995 274 85.8% 10,808 16,213 24,105
1994 472 83.3% 12,921 19,541 29,434
1993 366 87.4% 15,757 23,953 30,487
1992 597 83.9% 13,128 20,850 28,452

How Long Does a Suzuki VS800 Last?

Based on 333 Suzuki VS800 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
22.5 years
Median
23.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
34 years

Suzuki VS800 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki VS800 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
18,570 mi
75th Percentile
26,792 mi
95th Percentile
44,350 mi
Max Recorded
315,574 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki VS800

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

Best year
2006

93.0% MOT pass rate from 57 tests

Year to avoid
2002

82.4% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki VS800 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.0% across 57 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki VS800 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki VS800 THIS CAR 85.4% 3,043 18,570 mi 34 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
Toyota Yaris Cross Dynamic HEV Auto 92.6% 2,234 22,563 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki VS800 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki VS800 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 VS800

Should you buy a used Suzuki VS800?

The Suzuki VS800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.4% across 3,043 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 VS800 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (42 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (28), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (18). 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 VS800 owner drives around 407 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 VS800 models stay on UK roads for around 34 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 VS800 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki VS800 reliable?
Based on 3,043 MOT tests, the Suzuki VS800 has a 85.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki VS800?
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 shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki VS800 do per year?
The typical Suzuki VS800 does around 407 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki VS800 last?
Most Suzuki VS800 models stay on UK roads for around 34 years based on our analysis of 333 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki VS800?
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 VS800?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki VS800 is 2006 with a 93.0% pass rate across 57 tests.