SUZUKI GS850

843cc Petrol Class 2

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

80.2%

first-time pass rate

11.7%

failed outright

36,650

median miles at test

5,158

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The GS850's first-time pass rate has risen 9.2 points since 2005, 79.4% to 88.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS850's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS850 passes first time 78.6% of the time; by 50k that's 79.2%.

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 GS850

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	475	31.7	1.4×
brakes	468	31.3	1.4×
steering and suspension	228	15.2	1.1×
tyres and wheels	122	8.1	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	48	3.2	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	45	3	0.9×
body and structure	41	2.7	1.3×
reg plates and vin	36	2.4	1.1×
suspension	18	1.2	0.3×
driving controls	16	1.1	1.3×

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 GS850 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 GS850.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (85.7% pass). Weakest: 1983 (77.1%).

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 GS850 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GS850 reliable?

The SUZUKI GS850 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.2% of its 5,158 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3531 of 5426 models.

What does a GS850 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed GS850 tests.

What is the best year of GS850 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (85.7%) and 1983 worst (77.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS850 last?

The median GS850 shows 36,650 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.