SUZUKI GSF400

398cc Petrol Class 2

#4540 of 5426 overall #622 of 680 SUZUKIs #2746 of 2787 other bikes

72.5%

first-time pass rate

18.9%

failed outright

26,476

median miles at test

3,389

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The GSF400's first-time pass rate has risen 6.7 points since 2005, 70.4% to 77.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSF400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSF400 passes first time 80.5% of the time; by 50k that's 73.3%.

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 GSF400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	486	27.7	2.2×
lighting and signalling	439	25	2.1×
steering and suspension	376	21.4	2.7×
tyres and wheels	124	7.1	1.5×
drive system	94	5.4	3.2×
fuel and exhaust	56	3.2	2.0×
body and structure	52	3	2.7×
lamps and reflectors	51	2.9	0.5×
reg plates and vin	46	2.6	1.9×
driving controls	30	1.7	3.4×

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 GSF400 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 GSF400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (76.9% pass). Weakest: 1992 (67.4%).

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 GSF400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSF400 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSF400 is less reliable than average for its class: 72.5% of its 3,389 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4540 of 5426 models.

What does a GSF400 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 28% of all defects recorded against failed GSF400 tests.

What is the best year of GSF400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (76.9%) and 1992 worst (67.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSF400 last?

The median GSF400 shows 26,476 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.