SUZUKI GS850G
Pass rate over time
The GS850G's first-time pass rate has fallen 14.5 points since 2006, 84.2% to 69.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage GS850G passes first time 73.3% of the time; by 50k that's 67.4%.
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 GS850G
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
47 | 37.3 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
30 | 23.8 |
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 15.9 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
11 | 8.7 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 5.6 |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 3.2 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 2.4 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
2 | 1.6 |
| steering |
|
1 | 0.8 |
| structure and attachments |
|
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 GS850G beats 2 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 GS850G.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1979 (82.8% pass). Weakest: 1980 (74.7%).
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.