SUZUKI GT550

544cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #270 of 680 SUZUKIs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

20,208

median miles at test

1,528

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2018

The GT550's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (90.4% → 89.5%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the GT550's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GT550 passes first time 86.9% of the time; by 40k that's 82.4%.

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 GT550

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	54	26.6	1.0×
lighting and signalling	50	24.6	0.5×
brakes	37	18.2	0.4×
tyres and wheels	25	12.3	0.7×
drive system	12	5.9	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	9	4.4	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	5	2.5	0.1×
tyres	4	2	0.3×
reg plates and vin	4	2	0.3×
body and structure	3	1.5	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 GT550 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 GT550.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1972 (91.3% pass). Weakest: 1971 (80.9%).

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 GT550 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GT550 reliable?

The SUZUKI GT550 is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 1,528 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a GT550 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 27% of all defects recorded against failed GT550 tests.

What is the best year of GT550 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1972-registered examples do best (91.3%) and 1971 worst (80.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GT550 last?

The median GT550 shows 20,208 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.