SUZUKI GSX400

399cc Petrol Class 2

#4354 of 5426 overall #599 of 680 SUZUKIs #2683 of 2787 other bikes

74.5%

first-time pass rate

15.5%

failed outright

28,380

median miles at test

2,161

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The GSX400's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.9 points since 2005, 75.8% to 64.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSX400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSX400 passes first time 80.7% of the time; by 50k that's 66.9%.

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 GSX400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	227	26.5	1.6×
steering and suspension	207	24.2	2.2×
brakes	193	22.5	1.5×
tyres and wheels	72	8.4	1.4×
drive system	38	4.4	2.2×
lamps and reflectors	32	3.7	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	28	3.3	1.6×
body and structure	28	3.3	2.3×
reg plates and vin	20	2.3	1.5×
driving controls	11	1.3	2.0×

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 GSX400 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 GSX400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1996 (80.0% pass). Weakest: 1985 (69.4%).

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 GSX400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSX400 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSX400 is less reliable than average for its class: 74.5% of its 2,161 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4354 of 5426 models.

What does a GSX400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed GSX400 tests.

What is the best year of GSX400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (80.0%) and 1985 worst (69.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSX400 last?

The median GSX400 shows 28,380 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 66.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.