SUZUKI GSX1100

1100cc Petrol Class 2

#3109 of 5426 overall #407 of 680 SUZUKIs #1979 of 2787 other bikes

82.4%

first-time pass rate

9.2%

failed outright

31,334

median miles at test

6,365

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The GSX1100's first-time pass rate has risen 14.2 points since 2005, 72.6% to 86.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSX1100's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSX1100 passes first time 82.4% of the time; by 50k that's 82.7%.

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 GSX1100

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	487	31	1.1×
brakes	380	24.2	0.9×
steering and suspension	279	17.8	1.1×
tyres and wheels	112	7.1	0.7×
reg plates and vin	73	4.7	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	66	4.2	1.2×
lamps and reflectors	61	3.9	0.4×
drive system	46	2.9	0.9×
body and structure	45	2.9	1.2×
driving controls	20	1.3	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 GSX1100 beats 0 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 GSX1100.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (89.6% pass). Weakest: 1994 (71.7%).

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.

SUZUKI GSX1100 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSX1100 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSX1100 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.4% of its 6,365 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3109 of 5426 models.

What does a GSX1100 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed GSX1100 tests.

What is the best year of GSX1100 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (89.6%) and 1994 worst (71.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSX1100 last?

The median GSX1100 shows 31,334 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.