BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ SUZUKI/TR50S
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SUZUKI TR50S

49cc Petrol Class 1
#2690 of 5428 overall #331 of 680 SUZUKIs #42 of 456 moped bikes
84.2%
first-time pass rate
8.7%
failed outright
4,494
median miles at test
1,130
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+7.2pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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

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

The TR50S's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.4 points since 2005, 80.6% to 72.2%.

68%81%94%2005: 80.6% pass (31 tests)2006: 80.6% pass (124 tests)2007: 81.9% pass (105 tests)2008: 80.0% pass (90 tests)2009: 84.6% pass (78 tests)2010: 88.1% pass (84 tests)2011: 81.7% pass (82 tests)2012: 86.5% pass (74 tests)2013: 84.3% pass (51 tests)2014: 89.3% pass (56 tests)2015: 84.8% pass (46 tests)2016: 85.0% pass (40 tests)2020: 80.6% pass (36 tests)2021: 88.2% pass (34 tests)2022: 81.6% pass (38 tests)2023: 72.2% pass (36 tests)20052023

What fails on a TR50S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
120 43.3 1.3×
brakes
51 18.4 0.8×
steering and suspension
39 14.1 0.9×
lamps and reflectors
20 7.2 0.6×
tyres and wheels
14 5.1 0.5×
fuel and exhaust
14 5.1 1.3×
reg plates and vin
9 3.2 1.1×
suspension
4 1.4 0.5×
drive system
3 1.1 0.2×
body and structure
3 1.1 0.6×

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 TR50S beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).

PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 65.2% pass · 83.7k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO NRG 65.5% pass · 40.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
PEUGEOT VIVACITY 70.4% pass · 29.7k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 TR50S.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the TR50S

More SUZUKI models

other SUZUKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k tests
SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests
SUZUKI GSXR750 79.8% pass · 99.2k tests
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests
SUZUKI GSXR1000 83.8% pass · 97.5k tests
SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

See all SUZUKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2003 (89.2%). Lowest: 2001 (80.3%). Every TR50S year compared →

79%85%91%1998: 85.7% pass (428 tests)1999: 85.5% pass (214 tests)2000: 80.8% pass (281 tests)2001: 80.3% pass (61 tests)2003: 89.2% pass (74 tests)199820002003

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 TR50S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI TR50S reliable?

The SUZUKI TR50S is more reliable than average for its class: 84.2% of its 1,130 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2690 of 5428 models.

What does a TR50S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 43% of all defects recorded against failed TR50S tests.

What is the best year of TR50S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (89.2%) and 2001 worst (80.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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