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
The GSXS's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.6 points since 2018, 91.6% to 90.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage GSXS passes first time 93.1% of the time; by 40k that's 93.3%.
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 GSXS
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
134 | 29 | 1.0× |
| tyres |
|
74 | 16 | 1.5× |
| brakes |
|
72 | 15.6 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
55 | 11.9 | 0.9× |
| suspension |
|
53 | 11.5 | 0.9× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
50 | 10.8 | 3.2× |
| steering |
|
14 | 3 | 0.4× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
7 | 1.5 | 0.6× |
| wheels |
|
2 | 0.4 | 0.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
1 | 0.2 | — |
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
On first-time pass rate the GSXS beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO, HONDA CB1300).
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 GSXS.
Compare with any bike
More SUZUKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2016 (91.9% pass). Weakest: 2015 (90.7%).
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 GSXS FAQ
Is the SUZUKI GSXS reliable?
The SUZUKI GSXS is more reliable than average for its class: 91.4% of its 6,766 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #588 of 5428 models.
What does a GSXS fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed GSXS tests.
How many miles will a GSXS last?
The median GSXS shows 9,172 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 93.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Suzuki Gsxs reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.