SUZUKI GN400

396cc Petrol Class 2

#4044 of 5426 overall #565 of 680 SUZUKIs #2555 of 2787 other bikes

77.1%

first-time pass rate

13.8%

failed outright

21,702

median miles at test

536

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The GN400's first-time pass rate has risen 16.9 points since 2006, 64.9% to 81.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GN400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GN400 passes first time 83.6% of the time; by 40k that's 82.3%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a GN400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	93	40.8	1.9×
steering and suspension	45	19.7	1.7×
lamps and reflectors	25	11	1.0×
tyres and wheels	17	7.5	1.1×
drive system	12	5.3	1.8×
brakes	11	4.8	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	10	4.4	1.7×
reg plates and vin	5	2.2	1.6×
body and structure	5	2.2	1.9×
structure and attachments	5	2.2	1.1×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the GN400 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests

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 GN400.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1981 (80.7% pass). Weakest: 1980 (69.0%).

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 GN400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GN400 reliable?

The SUZUKI GN400 is less reliable than average for its class: 77.1% of its 536 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4044 of 5426 models.

What does a GN400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 41% of all defects recorded against failed GN400 tests.

What is the best year of GN400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1981-registered examples do best (80.7%) and 1980 worst (69.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GN400 last?

The median GN400 shows 21,702 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.