SUZUKI TS185

183cc Petrol Class 1

#3975 of 5426 overall #556 of 680 SUZUKIs #2519 of 2787 other bikes

77.5%

first-time pass rate

11.1%

failed outright

10,171

median miles at test

1,051

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2019

The TS185's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.5 points since 2006, 81.4% to 78.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the TS185's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage TS185 passes first time 77.2% of the time; by 30k that's 83.3%.

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 TS185

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	196	53.8	1.9×
steering and suspension	48	13.2	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	25	6.9	0.6×
brakes	24	6.6	0.4×
tyres and wheels	17	4.7	0.7×
drive system	16	4.4	1.4×
reg plates and vin	11	3	1.7×
body and structure	11	3	1.6×
fuel and exhaust	9	2.5	1.1×
audible warning (Horn)	7	1.9	3.6×

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 TS185 beats 0 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 TS185.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1976 (83.5% pass). Weakest: 1981 (70.9%).

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 TS185 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI TS185 reliable?

The SUZUKI TS185 is more reliable than average for its class: 77.5% of its 1,051 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3975 of 5426 models.

What does a TS185 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 54% of all defects recorded against failed TS185 tests.

What is the best year of TS185 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1976-registered examples do best (83.5%) and 1981 worst (70.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a TS185 last?

The median TS185 shows 10,171 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.