SUZUKI GS250

249cc Petrol Class 2

#4354 of 5426 overall #599 of 680 SUZUKIs #2683 of 2787 other bikes

74.5%

first-time pass rate

15.8%

failed outright

25,230

median miles at test

958

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2019

The GS250's first-time pass rate has risen 5.0 points since 2005, 65.6% to 70.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS250 passes first time 77.3% of the time; by 50k that's 70.5%.

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 GS250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	118	26.3	1.9×
steering and suspension	116	25.8	2.5×
brakes	69	15.4	1.3×
drive system	48	10.7	5.1×
tyres and wheels	46	10.2	1.9×
fuel and exhaust	18	4	2.2×
body and structure	11	2.4	2.0×
lamps and reflectors	11	2.4	0.4×
driving controls	8	1.8	2.7×
structure and attachments	4	0.9	0.5×

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 GS250 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 GS250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1982 (82.9% pass). Weakest: 1983 (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 GS250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GS250 reliable?

The SUZUKI GS250 is less reliable than average for its class: 74.5% of its 958 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4354 of 5426 models.

What does a GS250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed GS250 tests.

What is the best year of GS250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1982-registered examples do best (82.9%) and 1983 worst (66.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS250 last?

The median GS250 shows 25,230 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 70.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.