SUZUKI GS500K1

487cc Petrol Class 2

83.3%

first-time pass rate

10.9%

failed outright

17,220

median miles at test

174

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2007

The GS500K1's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.5 points since 2006, 88.1% to 81.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS500K1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS500K1 passes first time 92.2% of the time; by 20k that's 67.7%.

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 GS500K1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	19	31.7
lighting and signalling	17	28.3
steering and suspension	11	18.3
tyres and wheels	3	5
lamps and reflectors	3	5
Items Not Tested	2	3.3
body and structure	2	3.3
drive system	1	1.7
steering	1	1.7
structure and attachments	1	1.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the GS500K1 beats 3 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 GS500K1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (82.3% pass). Weakest: 2001 (82.3%).

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.