SUZUKI GS 500 FK5

487cc Petrol Class 2

#3531 of 5426 overall #482 of 680 SUZUKIs #2246 of 2787 other bikes

80.2%

first-time pass rate

12.5%

failed outright

12,576

median miles at test

1,704

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The GS 500 FK5's first-time pass rate has fallen 14.0 points since 2008, 92.9% to 78.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS 500 FK5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS 500 FK5 passes first time 85.3% of the time; by 40k that's 62.3%.

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 GS 500 FK5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	89	21.2	1.0×
lighting and signalling	72	17.1	0.8×
steering and suspension	71	16.9	1.0×
tyres and wheels	44	10.5	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	34	8.1	1.0×
structure and attachments	33	7.9	2.2×
drive system	27	6.4	2.0×
suspension	27	6.4	1.8×
steering	12	2.9	1.3×
tyres	11	2.6	0.9×

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 GS 500 FK5 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests YAMAHA FZ6 85.2% pass · 67.1k 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 GS 500 FK5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (82.4% pass). Weakest: 2005 (79.1%).

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 GS 500 FK5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GS 500 FK5 reliable?

The SUZUKI GS 500 FK5 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.2% of its 1,704 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3531 of 5426 models.

What does a GS 500 FK5 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 21% of all defects recorded against failed GS 500 FK5 tests.

What is the best year of GS 500 FK5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (82.4%) and 2005 worst (79.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS 500 FK5 last?

The median GS 500 FK5 shows 12,576 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 62.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.