BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ SUZUKI/TS185
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SUZUKI TS185

183cc Petrol Class 1
#3977 of 5428 overall #556 of 680 SUZUKIs #2520 of 2788 other bikes
77.5%
first-time pass rate
11.1%
failed outright
10,171
median miles at test
1,051
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-3.7pp
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 · 2006–2019

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

66%78%90%2006: 81.4% pass (59 tests)2007: 78.3% pass (69 tests)2008: 80.0% pass (55 tests)2009: 80.9% pass (68 tests)2010: 76.1% pass (67 tests)2011: 70.3% pass (74 tests)2012: 78.9% pass (71 tests)2013: 78.7% pass (75 tests)2014: 70.9% pass (86 tests)2015: 77.9% pass (77 tests)2016: 78.3% pass (83 tests)2017: 77.5% pass (80 tests)2018: 86.2% pass (58 tests)2019: 78.9% pass (38 tests)20062019

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%.

76%80%85%0k: 77.2% pass (509 tests)10k: 76.9% pass (368 tests)20k: 82.2% pass (118 tests)30k: 83.3% pass (36 tests)0k20k30k

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 Share of defects 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 · 7,202 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CB TWO FIFTY 77.8% pass · 5,844 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 TS185.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the TS185

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: 1976 (83.5%). Lowest: 1981 (70.9%). Every TS185 year compared →

68%77%86%1976: 83.5% pass (206 tests)1977: 74.4% pass (78 tests)1978: 72.3% pass (83 tests)1979: 78.0% pass (127 tests)1980: 80.1% pass (161 tests)1981: 70.9% pass (127 tests)197619791981

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 #3977 of 5428 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, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

Embed this bike

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