SUZUKI GS1000

998cc Petrol Class 2

#3073 of 5426 overall #399 of 680 SUZUKIs #1951 of 2787 other bikes

82.5%

first-time pass rate

8.8%

failed outright

32,552

median miles at test

2,047

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2021

The GS1000's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.3 points since 2006, 84.1% to 81.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS1000 passes first time 78.8% of the time; by 50k that's 83.3%.

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 GS1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	136	28.7	1.0×
lighting and signalling	113	23.8	0.9×
steering and suspension	84	17.7	1.0×
tyres and wheels	33	7	0.7×
reg plates and vin	30	6.3	2.0×
fuel and exhaust	24	5.1	1.2×
drive system	23	4.9	1.2×
body and structure	16	3.4	1.2×
structure and attachments	8	1.7	0.4×
driving controls	7	1.5	1.5×

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 GS1000 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 GS1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1982 (87.5% pass). Weakest: 1980 (80.5%).

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 GS1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GS1000 reliable?

The SUZUKI GS1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.5% of its 2,047 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3073 of 5426 models.

What does a GS1000 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 29% of all defects recorded against failed GS1000 tests.

What is the best year of GS1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1982-registered examples do best (87.5%) and 1980 worst (80.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS1000 last?

The median GS1000 shows 32,552 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.