BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ SUZUKI/GSF1200 BANDIT
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SUZUKI GSF1200 BANDIT

1200cc Petrol Class 2
#2659 of 5428 overall #329 of 680 SUZUKIs #1673 of 2788 other bikes
84.3%
first-time pass rate
7.0%
failed outright
21,469
median miles at test
530
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+1.1pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The GSF1200 BANDIT's first-time pass rate has risen 6.8 points since 2006, 86.5% to 93.3%.

70%84%98%2006: 86.5% pass (37 tests)2007: 88.6% pass (35 tests)2008: 78.9% pass (38 tests)2009: 77.4% pass (31 tests)2010: 83.9% pass (31 tests)2011: 83.8% pass (37 tests)2012: 76.5% pass (34 tests)2013: 80.6% pass (36 tests)2014: 75.0% pass (32 tests)2016: 93.3% pass (30 tests)20062016

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSF1200 BANDIT's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSF1200 BANDIT passes first time 87.3% of the time; by 40k that's 92.0%.

77%86%95%0k: 87.3% pass (102 tests)10k: 79.2% pass (149 tests)20k: 83.8% pass (99 tests)30k: 80.9% pass (89 tests)40k: 92.0% pass (50 tests)0k20k40k

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 GSF1200 BANDIT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
28 38.4 0.8×
brakes
12 16.4 0.4×
steering and suspension
10 13.7 0.5×
tyres and wheels
5 6.8 0.5×
tyres
5 6.8 1.4×
lamps and reflectors
4 5.5 0.2×
fuel and exhaust
4 5.5 1.0×
drive system
3 4.1 0.8×
reg plates and vin
1 1.4 0.3×
body and structure
1 1.4 0.4×

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 GSF1200 BANDIT beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests Compare head-to-head →
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 GSF1200 BANDIT.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the GSF1200 Bandit

More SUZUKI models

other SUZUKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k tests
SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests
SUZUKI GSXR750 79.8% pass · 99.2k tests
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests
SUZUKI GSXR1000 83.8% pass · 97.5k tests
SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

See all SUZUKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 1997 (86.4%). Lowest: 2000 (81.3%). Every GSF1200 Bandit year compared →

80%84%87%1996: 81.4% pass (113 tests)1997: 86.4% pass (59 tests)1998: 85.4% pass (137 tests)2000: 81.3% pass (64 tests)199619982000

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 GSF1200 BANDIT FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSF1200 BANDIT reliable?

The SUZUKI GSF1200 BANDIT is about average for its class: 84.3% of its 530 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2659 of 5428 models.

What does a GSF1200 BANDIT fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 38% of all defects recorded against failed GSF1200 BANDIT tests.

What is the best year of GSF1200 BANDIT to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (86.4%) and 2000 worst (81.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSF1200 BANDIT last?

The median GSF1200 BANDIT shows 21,469 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 92.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

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