Pass rate over time
The AE50's first-time pass rate has risen 3.6 points since 2005, 75.8% to 79.4%.
What fails on a AE50
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
256 | 34.3 | 2.6× |
| steering and suspension |
|
200 | 26.8 | 3.5× |
| brakes |
|
113 | 15.1 | 1.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
79 | 10.6 | 2.4× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
48 | 6.4 | 4.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
13 | 1.7 | 1.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
12 | 1.6 | 0.2× |
| body and structure |
|
11 | 1.5 | 1.7× |
| suspension |
|
8 | 1.1 | 0.6× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
6 | 0.8 | 4.8× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the AE50 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the AE50.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1998 (82.6% pass). Weakest: 1993 (66.0%).
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
SUZUKI AE50 FAQ
Is the SUZUKI AE50 reliable?
The SUZUKI AE50 is about average for its class: 72.9% of its 1,372 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4506 of 5426 models.
What does a AE50 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed AE50 tests.
What is the best year of AE50 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (82.6%) and 1993 worst (66.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.