SUZUKI GSF1200S

1157cc Petrol Class 2

#2984 of 5426 overall #378 of 680 SUZUKIs #1887 of 2787 other bikes

82.9%

first-time pass rate

9.0%

failed outright

19,782

median miles at test

41.8k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2020

The GSF1200S's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.1 points since 2005, 87.3% to 83.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSF1200S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSF1200S passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 50k that's 75.4%.

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 GSF1200S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	2,507	32.4	1.0×
brakes	1,683	21.7	0.7×
steering and suspension	1,015	13.1	0.7×
tyres and wheels	942	12.2	1.0×
drive system	410	5.3	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	406	5.2	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	274	3.5	0.3×
reg plates and vin	255	3.3	0.9×
body and structure	158	2	0.7×
structure and attachments	99	1.3	0.3×

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 GSF1200S beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 GSF1200S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (89.0% pass). Weakest: 1996 (79.5%).

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 GSF1200S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSF1200S reliable?

The SUZUKI GSF1200S is less reliable than average for its class: 82.9% of its 41,821 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2984 of 5426 models.

What does a GSF1200S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed GSF1200S tests.

What is the best year of GSF1200S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (89.0%) and 1996 worst (79.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSF1200S last?

The median GSF1200S shows 19,782 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.