SUZUKI GT185

184cc Petrol Class 1

#2893 of 5426 overall #363 of 680 SUZUKIs #1829 of 2787 other bikes

83.3%

first-time pass rate

6.6%

failed outright

15,503

median miles at test

830

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The GT185's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2006, 87.7% to 85.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GT185's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage GT185 passes first time 90.9% of the time; by 30k that's 87.3%.

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 GT185

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	37	30.6	0.7×
steering and suspension	30	24.8	0.9×
brakes	20	16.5	0.5×
drive system	10	8.3	1.3×
tyres and wheels	9	7.4	0.5×
body and structure	5	4.1	1.3×
reg plates and vin	4	3.3	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	3	2.5	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	2	1.7	0.1×
steering	1	0.8	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 GT185 beats 1 of its 2 closest rivals (BSA BANTAM, HONDA CB TWO FIFTY).

BSA BANTAM 88.7% pass · 7,201 tests HONDA CB TWO FIFTY 77.8% pass · 5,844 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 GT185.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1978 (85.2% pass). Weakest: 1975 (80.6%).

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 GT185 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GT185 reliable?

The SUZUKI GT185 is more reliable than average for its class: 83.3% of its 830 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2893 of 5426 models.

What does a GT185 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed GT185 tests.

What is the best year of GT185 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1978-registered examples do best (85.2%) and 1975 worst (80.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GT185 last?

The median GT185 shows 15,503 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 87.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.