SUZUKI GS550E
Pass rate over time
The GS550E's first-time pass rate has risen 5.0 points since 2006, 78.9% to 83.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage GS550E passes first time 81.8% of the time; by 50k that's 86.3%.
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 GS550E
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
40 | 33.3 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
33 | 27.5 |
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 16.7 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 6.7 |
| drive system |
|
6 | 5 |
| body and structure |
|
5 | 4.2 |
| driving controls |
|
3 | 2.5 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 1.7 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 1.7 |
| tyres |
|
1 | 0.8 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the GS550E beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 GS550E.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1979 (85.5% pass). Weakest: 1978 (78.6%).
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.